To solve the equation \(2x - 5 = -21\), the best two steps would be:
Step 1: Add 5 to both sides of the equation.
This gives: \[ 2x - 5 + 5 = -21 + 5 \implies 2x = -16 \]
Step 2: Divide both sides by 2.
This gives: \[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-16}{2} \implies x = -8 \]
So the solution to the equation is: \[ x = -8 \]