-2(7x - 8) = 30

Answer 1

To solve the equation \(-2(7x - 8) = 30\), follow these steps:

1. Distribute \(-2\) through the parentheses: \[ -2 \cdot 7x + -2 \cdot (-8) = -14x + 16 \] So, the equation becomes: \[ -14x + 16 = 30 \]

2. Subtract \(16\) from both sides to isolate the term with \(x\): \[ -14x + 16 - 16 = 30 - 16 \] This simplifies to: \[ -14x = 14 \]

3. Divide both sides by \(-14\) to solve for \(x\): \[ x = \frac{14}{-14} = -1 \]

Thus, the solution is: \[ \boxed{-1} \]