-27 = 8x - 5x

Question

What does X equal?

Answer 1

Notice that the two terms on the right hand side of the equation are like terms since they both contain the variable x (and no other variable), so we can combine these two terms:

     -27  =  8x - 5x

     -27  =  3x 

Now, to solve for x, we divide both sides of the equation by 3:

        -27  =  3x

   (-27)/3  =  (3x)/3

          -9  = 1x

Thus,  x = -9.

Check your answer by plugging it back into the original problem:

      -27  =  8x - 5x

      -27  = 8(-9) - 5(-9)

      -27  =  -72 - (-45)

      -27  =  -72 + 45

      -27  =  -27

Answer 2

-27 = 3x

therefore, x = -27/3 = -9