To solve the equation \(-\frac{1}{2}(x + 10) = -3\), we can compare different approaches. However, the first operation we need to identify is dealing with the fraction outside the parentheses.
Step 1: Identify the First Operation
We can begin by eliminating the negative fraction. To isolate the group of terms in parentheses, we can multiply both sides of the equation by -2, which is the reciprocal of \(-\frac{1}{2}\). This will effectively eliminate the fraction from the left side.
Equation: \[ -\frac{1}{2}(x + 10) = -3 \]
First operation: Multiply both sides by -2 \[ (x + 10) = 6 \]
After this step, you can proceed to solve for \(x\) by subtracting 10 from both sides:
\[ x = 6 - 10 \] \[ x = -4 \]
Solution Summary:
- Multiply both sides by -2 to eliminate the fraction.
- Solve for \(x\).
This approach efficiently simplifies the equation, with the first operation being the multiplication by -2.