a)
The given equationis expressed as
2x + 3 = - 8
To solve for x, the first step is to subtract 3 from both sides of the equation. We have
2x + 3 - 3 = - 8 - 3
2x = - 11
Finally, we would divide both sides of the equation by 2. We have
2x/2 = - 11/2
x = - 11/2