distribute the -2.7

3-21.6 +2.7x = 16.5

combine like terms

-18.6 + 2.7x = 16.5

add 18.6 to both

2.7x = 35.1

divide both sides by 2.7

x = 13

The 2 most likely problems are that the answer in the book is a typo – after all, 3 and 13 are similar numbers. The other possibility is that you wrote down the problem wrong, but I think that’s much less likely.

So I think you solved it correctly. In fact, if you wrote it correctly in the first place, I know you solved it!

So I guess at this point, the score is:

Student: 1

Textbook editor: 0

Cool!

2. Next you move everything to the other side so that 2.7x is all by its self: 2.7x= 16.5 + 21.6 – 3

3. Now you solve for x: x=35.1/ 2.7

4. That is how you end up with 13

3-21.6+2.7x=16.5

subtract

-18.6+2.7x=16.5

add 18.6 to each side

2.7x=35.1

divide

x=13

Here is a way to prove it, plug in 13 for x:

3-2.7(8-13)=16.5

First do everything in the parenthesis.

3-2.7(-5)=16.5

Then distribute the 2.7.

3-(-13.5)=16.5

Then subtract the negative.

16.5=16.5

I hope this helps!!

Good Luck on your homework!