when the product of -5 and an unknown number is decreased by 11, the result is 15. find the number.
Product means times and decreased means subtract:
-5 · x - 11 = 15
-5x - 11 = 15 To remove - 11 and 11 to both sides.
-5x - 11 + 11 = 15 + 11
-5x = 26 To remove -5 which is multiplied to x, divide by -5
-5x/-5 = 26/-5
x = -5.2
-5x-11=15
-5x=15+11
-5x=26
x=-26/5
x=-5 1/5