First remove the outside constant: 5(x - 5) = -15. Divide by 5: x - 5 = -3. Therefore x = 2. Bracket equations can be solved by undoing operations in reverse order, or by expanding first. Keep both sides balanced by doing the same operation to each side. After finding x, substitute it back into the original equation to confirm it works. The correct answer is 2, which matches the calculation or reasoning shown.