Question

How do you solve `-2( n - 5) = 20`?

Answer 1

`n = -5`

Explanation:

`-2(n-5)=20`

First, use the distributive property shown below to simplify/expand `-2(n-5)`:

Following this image, we know that:
`color(blue)(-2(n-5) = (-2 * n) + (-2 * -5) = -2n + 10)`

Now put that back into the equation:
`-2n + 10 = 20`

Subtract `color(blue)10` from both sides of the equation:
`-2n + 10 quadcolor(blue)(-quad10) = 20 quadcolor(blue)(-quad10)`

`-2n = 10`

Now divide both sides by `color(blue)(-2)`:
`(-2n)/color(blue)(-2) = 10/color(blue)(-2)`

Therefore,
`n = -5`

Hope this helps!