Tomas works as an underwater photographer. He starts at a position that is 19 feet below sea level. He rises 6 feet, then descends 18 feet to take a photo of a coral reef. Enter an expression to find his position relative to sea level when he took the photo and then evaluate the expression. An expression for Tomas's position is
Evaluate the expression:
Tomas took the photo at feet below sea level.

college

simplifying

5(x + -6) = 2(x + 3)

reorder the terms:

5(-6 + x) = 2(x + 3)

(-6 * 5 + x * 5) = 2(x + 3)

(-30 + 5x) = 2(x + 3)

reorder the terms:

-30 + 5x = 2(3 + x)

-30 + 5x = (3 * 2 + x * 2)

-30 + 5x = (6 + 2x)

solving

-30 + 5x = 6 + 2x

solving for variable 'x'.

move all terms containing x to the left, all other terms to the right.

add '-2x' to each side of the equation.

-30 + 5x + -2x = 6 + 2x + -2x

combine like terms: 5x + -2x = 3x

-30 + 3x = 6 + 2x + -2x

combine like terms: 2x + -2x = 0

-30 + 3x = 6 + 0

-30 + 3x = 6

add '30' to each side of the equation.

-30 + 30 + 3x = 6 + 30

combine like terms: -30 + 30 = 0

0 + 3x = 6 + 30

3x = 6 + 30

combine like terms: 6 + 30 = 36

3x = 36

divide each side by '3'.

x = 12

simplifying

x = 12

this should .