Question

Justify your steps using the properties of equality as you solve for the variable.

-5n - 2 = -5 (4 + 2n) + 8n

Keep your answer 2-3 sentences long and simple.

Answer 1

Use the distributive property: -5n - 2 = -5(4 + 2n) + 8n = -20 -10n + 8n = -20 - 2n. Add 2n to both sides and then add 2 to both sides (Addition Property of Equality) to get -3n = -18, then divide both sides by -3 (Division Property) to find n = 6.