Question

Solve for x: −2(x + 3) = −2(x + 1) − 4

Answer 1

distribute through the parenthesis and what do you get ?

Answer 2

-2x + -6 = (-2x + -2) -4

Answer 3

-2(x + 3) = -2(x + 1) + 4
-2x - 6 = -2x - 2 + 4
combine like terms
-2x - 6 = -2x + 2

still with me ?

Answer 4

Yes

Answer 5

-2x - 6 = -2x + 2 (add 2x to both sides)
-2x + 2x - 6 = 2 (now add 6 to both sides)
-2x + 2x = 2 + 6
0 = 8

understand so far ?

Answer 6

Yes I do.

Answer 7

and since 0 does not equal 8, there is NO SOLUTION to this problem.
IF it would have ended up like : 0 = 0 or 4 = 4 or something that is equal, then there would have been infinite solutions

Answer 8

Okay, thank you TexasChic101

Answer 9

anytime :)