Question

5. 8 = 3(3x + 8) − x how do i work this when combing like terms

Answer 1

do you know how to distribute through the parenthesis ?

Answer 2

basically, you take the number right before the parenthesis, and multiply it by everything in the parenthesis...this will get rid of the parenthesis.
5.8 = 3 * 3x + 3 * 8
5.8 = 9x + 24 --- now subtract 24 from both sides
5.8 - 24 = 9x
-18.2 = 9x -- now divide both sides by 9
-18.2/9 = x
-2.02 = x

wait...is the problem 5.8 = ....or is it just 8 = and the 5 is the number of the problem ?

Answer 3

is this the whole problem...because I see a lot of black diamonds in your problem

Answer 4

its 5.8=3(3x+8)-x @texaschic101

Answer 5

sorry...let me do this again
5.8 = 3(3x + 8) - x --- distribute through the parenthesis
5.8 = 9x + 24 - x --- subtract 24 from both sides
5.8 - 24 = 9x - x --- combine like terms
-18.2 = 8x --- divide both sides by 8
-18.2/8 = x
-2.275 = x

check...
5.8 = 3(3(-2.275) + 8) - (-2.275)
5.8 = 3(-6.825 + 8) + 2.275
5.8 = 3(1.175) + 2.275
5.8 = 3.525 + 2.275
5.8 = 5.8 (correct)

so x = - 2.275

Answer 6

thank you @texaschic101