Question

Solve for the given variable.
-16x-17=-12x+5
x= _____

Answer 1

To solve the equation \(-16x - 17 = -12x + 5\), we can start by isolating the variable \(x\).

1. First, add \(16x\) to both sides of the equation to eliminate \(x\) from the left side:
\[
-16x + 16x - 17 = -12x + 16x + 5
\]
This simplifies to:
\[
-17 = 4x + 5
\]

2. Next, subtract \(5\) from both sides to isolate the term with \(x\):
\[
-17 - 5 = 4x
\]
This simplifies to:
\[
-22 = 4x
\]

3. Now, divide both sides by \(4\) to solve for \(x\):
\[
x = \frac{-22}{4}
\]
Simplifying the fraction gives:
\[
x = \frac{-11}{2}
\]

Thus, the value of \(x\) is:
\[
\boxed{-\frac{11}{2}}
\]