Question

Solve for x: -3(x + 3) = -3(x + 1) - 5.

Answer 1

answer is x=2

Answer 2

-3(x+3) = -3(x+1)-5
Distribute the -3's on both sides.
-3x-9 = -3x -3 - 5
add 3x to both sides. add 9 to both sides and simplify.
0x=1

Since you can't divide by a 0; there is no solution.

does that help?