−2x−5=−21

Question

Determine the best TWO steps to solve the equation.

Answer 1

To solve the equation \(-2x - 5 = -21\), the best two steps to follow would be:

1. Add 5 to both sides of the equation to isolate the term containing \(x\): \[ -2x - 5 + 5 = -21 + 5 \quad \Rightarrow \quad -2x = -16 \]

2. Divide both sides by -2 to solve for \(x\): \[ \frac{-2x}{-2} = \frac{-16}{-2} \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 8 \]

Thus, the two best steps to solve the equation are to first add 5 to both sides, followed by dividing both sides by -2.