Answer:
x =
Step-by-step explanation:
-38 - 3x = -4 (1 + 5x)
first, remove the brackets, using distribution (-4 gets multiplied to what is in the brackets)
-38 - 3x = -4 - 20x
bring variables to one side (I prefer the right)
-38 - 3x + 3x = -4 - 20x + 3x
-38x = -4 - 17x (simplified)
bring numerical values to the opposite side
-38 + 4 = -4 + 4 - 17x
-34 = -17x (simplified)
divide both sides by -17 to isolate 'x', the negatives will cancel out
-34 = -17x
-17 -17
2 = x
Therefore x = 2
