Question

What number should both sides of the equation x−5=−6 be multiplied by to solve for the value of x?

Answer 1

To solve the equation \( x - 5 = -6 \), you actually do not need to multiply both sides by any number; instead, you can isolate \( x \) by adding 5 to both sides of the equation.

Here's how you do it step by step:

1. Start with the original equation:
\[
x - 5 = -6
\]

2. Add 5 to both sides:
\[
x - 5 + 5 = -6 + 5
\]

3. Simplify:
\[
x = -1
\]

So, the value of \( x \) is \(-1\).

To address your question directly: there is no specific number that you need to multiply both sides by to solve this equation; adding is the appropriate operation here.