Question: Solve for the variable. $-2s+1=3s+16$
$s=6$
$s=-4$
$s=-3$
$s=2$
1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$-2s + 1 = 3s + 16$$ for the variable $s$.
2. **Write down the formula and rules:** To solve for $s$, we want to isolate $s$ on one side of the equation. We can do this by adding or subtracting terms on both sides and then dividing if necessary.
3. **Step 1: Move all $s$ terms to one side.** Add $2s$ to both sides:
$$-2s + 1 + 2s = 3s + 16 + 2s$$
which simplifies to:
$$1 = 5s + 16$$
4. **Step 2: Move constants to the other side.** Subtract $16$ from both sides:
$$1 - 16 = 5s + 16 - 16$$
which simplifies to:
$$-15 = 5s$$
5. **Step 3: Solve for $s$ by dividing both sides by $5$:**
$$\frac{-15}{\cancel{5}} = \frac{5s}{\cancel{5}}$$
which simplifies to:
$$-3 = s$$
or equivalently:
$$s = -3$$
6. **Conclusion:** The solution to the equation is $$s = -3$$.
7. **Check the solution:** Substitute $s = -3$ back into the original equation:
Left side: $$-2(-3) + 1 = 6 + 1 = 7$$
Right side: $$3(-3) + 16 = -9 + 16 = 7$$
Both sides equal $7$, so the solution is correct.