Answer :

distribute through the parenthesis
subtract 5 from both sides
divide both sides by -1/3...or multiply both sides by -3
pewter1967
1) Distribute -1/3 through the parenthesis, it will look like this:
-1/3(x) - 15(-1/3) = -4

Simplify: -1/3x + 5 = -4

Multiply each term by 3 to eliminate the fraction: 3(-1/3x + 5 = -4)
Equals: -x + 15 = -12

Subtract 15 from both sides -x + 15 =-12
                                                 - 15    -15

Equals -x = -27
FINALLY multiply or divide by -1 to eliminate the negative "x"
(Basically changing the signs of all terms.)
x = 27.

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