Solve for x 16=-2x-1

$16 = - 2 x - 1$

Step 1

Rewrite the equation as $- 2 x - 1 = 16$ .

$- 2 x - 1 = 16$

Step 2

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

Add $1$ to both sides of the equation.

$- 2 x = 16 + 1$

Add $16$ and $1$ .

$- 2 x = 17$

Step 3

Divide each term in $- 2 x = 17$ by $- 2$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $- 2 x = 17$ by $- 2$ .

$\frac{- 2 x}{- 2} = \frac{17}{- 2}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $- 2$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{- 2 x}{- 2} = \frac{17}{- 2}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{17}{- 2}$

Simplify the right side.

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$x = - \frac{17}{2}$

Step 4

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$x = - \frac{17}{2}$

Decimal Form:

$x = - 8.5$

Mixed Number Form:

$x = - 8 \frac{1}{2}$