Question

3(x + 5) - 2(x + 2) = 20
solve for x

Answer 1

Simplifying
3(x + 5) + -2(x + 2) = 20

Reorder the terms:
3(5 + x) + -2(x + 2) = 20
(5 * 3 + x * 3) + -2(x + 2) = 20
(15 + 3x) + -2(x + 2) = 20

Reorder the terms:
15 + 3x + -2(2 + x) = 20
15 + 3x + (2 * -2 + x * -2) = 20
15 + 3x + (-4 + -2x) = 20

Reorder the terms:
15 + -4 + 3x + -2x = 20

Combine like terms: 15 + -4 = 11
11 + 3x + -2x = 20

Combine like terms: 3x + -2x = 1x
11 + 1x = 20

Solving
11 + 1x = 20

Solving for variable 'x'.

Move all terms containing x to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-11' to each side of the equation.
11 + -11 + 1x = 20 + -11

Combine like terms: 11 + -11 = 0
0 + 1x = 20 + -11
1x = 20 + -11

Combine like terms: 20 + -11 = 9
1x = 9

Divide each side by '1'.
x = 9

Simplifying
x = 9