Question

Given 14 – 2(x + 8) = 5x – (3x – 34), prove x = -9 what are the steps to be able to prove x=-9

Answer 1

Answer: x = -9

steps

Simplifying

14 + -2(x + 8) = 5x + -1(3x + -34)

Reorder the terms:

14 + -2(8 + x) = 5x + -1(3x + -34)

14 + (8 * -2 + x * -2) = 5x + -1(3x + -34)

14 + (-16 + -2x) = 5x + -1(3x + -34)

Combine like terms: 14 + -16 = -2

-2 + -2x = 5x + -1(3x + -34)

Reorder the terms:

-2 + -2x = 5x + -1(-34 + 3x)

-2 + -2x = 5x + (-34 * -1 + 3x * -1)

-2 + -2x = 5x + (34 + -3x)

Reorder the terms:

-2 + -2x = 34 + 5x + -3x

Combine like terms: 5x + -3x = 2x

-2 + -2x = 34 + 2x

Solving

-2 + -2x = 34 + 2x

Solving for variable 'x'.

Move all terms containing x to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-2x' to each side of the equation.

-2 + -2x + -2x = 34 + 2x + -2x

Combine like terms: -2x + -2x = -4x

-2 + -4x = 34 + 2x + -2x

Combine like terms: 2x + -2x = 0

-2 + -4x = 34 + 0

-2 + -4x = 34

Add '2' to each side of the equation.

-2 + 2 + -4x = 34 + 2

Combine like terms: -2 + 2 = 0

0 + -4x = 34 + 2

-4x = 34 + 2

Combine like terms: 34 + 2 = 36

-4x = 36

Divide each side by '-4'.

x = -9