1) distribute the coefficient into the parentheses having it look like this: (-5+25x)+(-40x-10)=-4x-8x 2) then, you want to combine all the like terms so you get: -15-15x=-12x 3) then you add the x to the other side: -15= 3x 4) divide by 3 to get te x alone and you’re done! -5=x
