Q. Two cars leave the same parking lot, with one heading north and the other heading east. After several minutes, the northbound car has traveled 3 miles, and the eastbound car has traveled 5 miles. Measured in a straight line, how far apart are the two cars?

The correct answer is c

Remember, you can do anything to an equation as long as you do it to both sidesminus 36 from both sides4.5(8-x)=66-2.5(3x+24)distribute36-4.5x=66-7.5x-60add like terms36-4.5x=-7.5x+6add 7.5x to both sides36+3x=6minus 36 from both sides3x=-30divide both sides by 3x=-10