The whole goal is to isolate X. so multiply by 3x-5. You'd get 1=-12x-20, then you add 20, to get 21=-12x. Divide by 3, 7=4x. You'd get some wierd decimal..which makes me think I did it wrong. I'm in college algebra so i've long since forgotten this stuff, you probably don't mulitiply but simplify it to a fraction by getting the same number on the bottom. Hopefully someone has an accurate answer for you if i'm incorrect.
i keep getting -9 no matter what i do but i am scard im doing it wrong i did
1/3x+5=-4
(4)1/3+(4)5=(4)-4
4x+20=-16
-20 -20
___________
4x 36
4/4x=-36/4
x=-9