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
