2w - 5(w+1) = 3w + 1
The first step here is to distribute the -5 to everything inside the parentheses.
2w - 5w - 5 = 3w + 1
Now combine like terms on the left side.
-3w - 5 = 3w + 1
Add 3 to both sides.
-5 = 6w + 1
Subtract 1 from both sides.
-6 = 6w
Divide both sides by 6.
-1 = w
So the answer is:
w = -1
