Solve for w 3w-15w-16=-52

$3 w - 15 w - 16 = - 52$

Subtract $15 w$ from $3 w$ .

$- 12 w - 16 = - 52$

Move all terms not containing $w$ to the right side of the equation.

Add $16$ to both sides of the equation.

$- 12 w = - 52 + 16$

Add $- 52$ and $16$ .

$- 12 w = - 36$

Divide each term in $- 12 w = - 36$ by $- 12$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $- 12 w = - 36$ by $- 12$ .

$\frac{- 12 w}{- 12} = \frac{- 36}{- 12}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $- 12$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{- 12 w}{- 12} = \frac{- 36}{- 12}$

Divide $w$ by $1$ .

$w = \frac{- 36}{- 12}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $- 36$ by $- 12$ .

$w = 3$