How do I solve this? -5(4x+1) =15 Thank you

Answer 1

-20 x - 5 = 15

-20 x = 20

x = -1

Answer 2

or, you can divide first:

-5(4x+1) =15
4x+1 = -3
4x = -4
x = -1

Damon's way is nice if you expect to run into awkward fractions by doing the division first.