Question

ALGEBRA QUICK QUESTION:
how do i know which order to do things when solving a one-variable equation??

example of a problem: 7x - (2x - 5) = 12x - 3 - 3x

Answer 1

thre is no specific order you have to approach it from

Answer 2

as a rule of thumb tho, its easier to play with things if they are all out in the open and not hiding inside of groups

Answer 3

oh okay!

Answer 4

good luck :)

Answer 5

Thanks but i think it does matter because i just did it and i got 1.6 instead of the right answer (2)

Answer 6

show me what you did

Answer 7

its not that a specific order matters, as long as you do the proper maths ....

Answer 8

7x - (2x - 5) = 12x - 3 - 3x

7x - (2x - 5) = 12x - 3 - 3x + 7x - 7x

7x - (2x - 5) = 7x + 12x - 3 -10x + 5 - 5

7x - (2x - 5) = 7x + 5 + 2x - 8 +2x - 2x

7x - (2x - 5) = 7x -2x + 5 + 4x - 8

7x - (2x - 5) = 7x -(2x - 5) + 4x - 8

well, this is only true of 4x-8 = 0

Answer 9

sis i follow any 'proper' order? or did i just do proper maths?

Answer 10

*did i follow

Answer 11

Sorry i haven't replied faster but
I get confused when its solved like that and it confused me even more with that question.. so just nevermind thanks for trying to help me!!

Answer 12

i was simply pointing out that there is no 'specific' way to approach the solution.

you simply work proper maths. a good process would be:

distribute on the left

collect all like terms to one side and the other

combine them

then divide off the excess and you are left with x

Answer 13

7x - (2x - 5) = 12x - 3 - 3x

7x - 2x -- 5 = 12x - 3 - 3x

7x - 2x + 5 = 12x - 3 - 3x

7x - 2x -12x +3x = - 3 - 5

5x -12x +3x = - 8

8x -12x = - 8

-4x = - 8

x = -8/-4