Question

Solve for x. 16x – 3(4x + 5) = 2x + 9

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is x=12

Answer 2

To solve for x, you need to isolate/get the variable "x" by itself in the equation:

16x - 3(4x + 5) = 2x + 9          Distribute -3 into (4x + 5)

16x + (-3)4x + (-3)5 = 2x + 9

16x - 12x - 15 = 2x + 9         Combine like terms (terms that have the same variable and power/exponent), which are 16x - 12x, as they have the same variable "x" and a power/exponent of 1.

4x - 15 = 2x + 9        Subtract 2x on both sides

4x - 2x - 15 = 2x - 2x + 9

2x - 15 = 9     Add 15 on both sides

2x - 15 + 15 = 9 + 15

2x = 24          Divide 2 on both sides to get "x" by itself

$\frac{2x}{2}=\frac{24}{2}$

x = 12