Let's solve the equation [tex]\( -5x - 1 = -16 \)[/tex] step by step.
1. Start with the given equation:
[tex]\[
-5x - 1 = -16
\][/tex]
2. Isolate the term containing [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
To do this, we need to move the constant term on the left side ([tex]\(-1\)[/tex]) to the right side by adding 1 to both sides of the equation. This gives us:
[tex]\[
-5x - 1 + 1 = -16 + 1
\][/tex]
Simplifying this, we get:
[tex]\[
-5x = -15
\][/tex]
3. Solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
Now, we need to isolate [tex]\( x \)[/tex] by dividing both sides of the equation by [tex]\(-5\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
x = \frac{-15}{-5}
\][/tex]
4. Simplify the fraction:
Dividing [tex]\(-15\)[/tex] by [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] results in:
[tex]\[
x = 3
\][/tex]
So, the solution to the equation [tex]\( -5x - 1 = -16 \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[
x = 3
\][/tex]
