Question

What value of x satisfies the equation 5(x – 3) – 2(x + 1) = 4?

Answer 1

Answer:

x = 7

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve:

Distribute 5 among everything inside the first parentheses. You'll get 5x - 15.

Next distribute -2 among everything in the second parentheses. You'll get

-2x - 2.

All together: 5x - 15 -2x - 2 = 4

Now combine like terms:

5x - 2x = 3x and -15 - 2 = - 17

All together: 3x - 17 = 4

Add 17 on both sides to get 21, and then divide both sides by 3. Answer is x = 7.

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Last, don't forget to check your work.

You can plug in 7 for x to get:

5(7 - 3) = 20

5 × 7 = 35

5 × -3 = -15

35 - 15 = 20

-2(7 + 1) = -16

-2 × 7 = -14

-2 × 1 = - 2

-14 -2 = -16

20 - 16 = 4

⬆⬆⬆Therefore this is correct.

Sorry this is a bit lengthy, but hope this helps :)