Answer:
-5
Step-by-step explanation:
16 - 2(3x + 4) = 38
16 - 2 · 3x - 2 · 4 = 38
16 - 6x - 8 = 38
-6x + 16 - 8 = 38
-6x + 8 = 38
-6x = 38 - 8
-6x = 30
x = 30 ÷ (-6)
x = -5
We can check the solution:
left side: 16 - 2(3x + 4) = 16 - 2(3 · (-5) + 4) = 16 - 2(-15 + 4) =
= 16 - 2 · (-11) = 16 + 22 = 38
right side: 38
left side = right side, so the solution is correct
