Question

Solve: 4(x − 1) − (x + 2) = 12

Answer 1

Do you know where to start?

Answer 2

I believe I would do the Distributive Property first for 4(x-1)
Is this correct?

Answer 3

Yes...so you get?

Answer 4

\[4(x)-4(1) \] = \[4x-4-(x+2)=12\] and then ?

Answer 5

You're doing well so far...what do you think happens next?

Answer 6

(hint: the - sign on the far right is essentially a -1)

Answer 7

I believe then I would do Distributive Property for 4(x+2) ?

Answer 8

No. You've already removed the parentheses on the left through distribution...you need to do the same thing with -(x+2)....get rid of those parentheses!

Answer 9

so 4(-x+2)?

Answer 10

Wow....we were getting there @mathslover

Answer 11

OOps sorry !! for disturbing u

Answer 12

so would it be 4(-x+2) for Distribution?

Answer 13

@mathslover : thx :)

Answer 14

@verdoc: No....we're only working with -(x+2) at the moment. Can you distribute the negative sign there and remove the parentheses?

Answer 15

so then it would be -x+-2?

Answer 16

Close enough...properly written it will be -x-2.

Ok, we're almost done. If you put everything back together you get 4x-4-x-2=12 right?

Answer 17

Yes. So then combine like terms and get 5x -4-2=12?

Answer 18

Yes combine like terms...but correctly :) Can you see any mistakes there?

Answer 19

Subtract!! 3x-4-2=12!

Answer 20

Now what's -4-2? Need to simplify that too

Answer 21

That equals -6.

Answer 22

Correct. So you have 3x-6=12. What's next?

Answer 23

Add -6 to 12.?

Answer 24

Right...add +6 to both sides. That leaves you with what?

Answer 25

3x=18 then divide both sides by 3 and get x= 6!

Answer 26

\[\large BINGO\]

Answer 27

YESSSSS!!!!!!! thank you!!

Answer 28

you're welcome. With a little practice you can do this all in your head in just a few seconds :)