Question

What does this equal? 4(2x+1)-2x=-8

Answer 1

To solve equations, you want to isolate the X. So, the first step will be to distribute that 4 into the 2x + 1. 
4 x 2 = 8
4 x 1 = 4              So we have 4(2x+1) = 8x+4. When we plug this into the equation, that gets us 8x + 4 - 2x = -8. Next, let's combine like terms now that we've distributed everything out. 8x - 2x = 6x. Now we have
6x + 4 = -8. Next, we subtract 4 from both sides to isolate the X;              6x = -8 - 4. -8 - 4  = -12. So now we have 6x = -12. The final step to isolating the X is to divide both sides by 6; 6/6 = 1, and -12/6 = -2. Our final answer is X = -2. 

Answer 2

4(2x+1)-2x=-8
4x+4-2x=-8
6x+4=-8
subtract 4 on both sides
6x=-12
divide both sides by 6
x=-2