Question

-3x - 7 = -8x - 57
+7 +7
-3x = -8x - 50
+3x +3x
x = -5x - 50

Explanation:

Step1: Add 7 to both sides

To eliminate the -7 on the left, we add 7 to both sides of the equation \(-3x - 7 = -8x - 57\).
\[
-3x - 7 + 7 = -8x - 57 + 7
\]
Simplifying both sides, we get \(-3x = -8x - 50\).

Step2: Add 8x to both sides

To get all the x terms on one side, we add 8x to both sides of the equation \(-3x = -8x - 50\).
\[
-3x + 8x = -8x - 50 + 8x
\]
Simplifying both sides, we combine like terms: \(5x = -50\).

Step3: Divide by 5

To solve for x, we divide both sides of the equation \(5x = -50\) by 5.
\[
\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-50}{5}
\]
Simplifying, we get \(x = -10\).

Answer:

\(x = -10\)