Certainly! Let's solve the equation step by step:
Given equation:
[tex]\[ -13 - (9x + 7) = 16 \][/tex]
1. Distribute the negative sign inside the parentheses:
When you have a negative sign in front of the parentheses, you have to distribute it to each term inside the parentheses.
[tex]\[ -13 - 9x - 7 = 16 \][/tex]
2. Combine the constant terms on the left side:
Combine -13 and -7 to simplify the left side of the equation.
[tex]\[ -20 - 9x = 16 \][/tex]
3. Isolate the term with the variable (x):
To isolate the variable, we need to get rid of the constant term on the left side by adding 20 to both sides of the equation.
[tex]\[ -9x = 16 + 20 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ -9x = 36 \][/tex]
4. Solve for x:
Now, to solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex], divide both sides of the equation by -9.
[tex]\[ x = \frac{36}{-9} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x = -4 \][/tex]
So the solution to the equation [tex]\( -13 - (9x + 7) = 16 \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ x = -4 \][/tex]
