Answer:
1/4 of them were rotten
rotten ones = 1/4 × 12 = 3
ones that weren't rotten = 12 - 3 = 9
We can use the distribution method for both sides:
9 (x+2) = 5 - 2( x - 1 )
9x + 18 = 5 -2x + 2
Move like terms to one side and combine:
9x + 2x = 5+2-18.
11x = -11
x = -1.
-x⁴+ 6x³- 7x²- 4x - 4
Order from least to greatest exponent (the variable, which is x in this case, is always first by the way in terms of order, then integers). This point of this problem is essentially to just rearrange the original equation.
1/3 x 4/4 = 4/12
4/12 + 5/12 = 9/12
12/12 - 9/12 = 3/12
3/12 = 1/4