Solve the following equation

Explanation

The variable x is not isolated, because there is a - sign in front of it.  Since the term -x has an understood coefficient of -1, the equation can be written as -1x = 3.  We need to select a property of equality and use it to isolate the variable on one side of the equation.  To find the solution of the original equation, we want to find a simpler equivalent equation of the form x = a number, whose solution is obvious.

Solution

• The equation to solve
  • -x = 3
• Write: -x = 1x
  • -1x = 3
  • \(\frac{-1x}{-1} = \frac{3}{-1}\)
• On the left side, \(\frac{-1}{-1} = 1\)
  • 1x = -3
  • x = -3