Question

34= -2(x−6) I need a full explanation!!!!!

Answer 1

34 = -2(x - 6)

First, distribute the -2 through the parenthesis to both terms inside:

34 = -2x + 12

Now subtract 12 from both sides:

22 = -2x

And divide both sides by -2:

x = -11

As a test, make this substitution into the original equation and test the results:

34 = -2(x - 6)
34 = -2(-11 - 6)
34 = -2(-17)
34 = 34
TRUE

So x = -11 is the correct answer.

Answer 2

Here is another way of solving this.
Since the -2 on the right side is already factored out, instead of distributing it, we can divide both sides by -2.

\(34 = -2(x - 6) \)

\(\dfrac{34}{-2} = \dfrac{-2(x - 6)}{-2} \)

\(-17 = x - 6\)

Now add 6 to both sides:

\(-11 = x\)

\(x = -11\)