Question

Solve for x.
18 + x= -2
x=

Help!

Answer 1

X=-20

-20+18=2
The number that is bigger is negative so therefore the answer would be negative

Answer 2

Answer:  x = -20

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Explanation:

The expression 18+x is the same as x+18. This is because we can add two numbers in any order to get the same result. Example: 2+3 = 3+2 = 5.

Whats happening to the x is we add on 18. To isolate x, we undo this operation to subtract 18 from both sides.

Keep in mind that subtracting a negative from a negative will have us add the positive versions of the number, and the final result is ultimately negative. So that's why -2-18 = -20. You can think of it as 2+18 = 20 and you make the 20 negative.

Here's how the steps look like

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18 + x = -2

x + 18 = -2

x + 18 - 18 = -2 - 18 ... subtracting 18 from both sides

x + 0 = -20

x = -20