Question

studying for a geom test and this may be a dumb question, but how do i know when to subtract the x's or combine the like terms??

on one problem i did
4x+15=6x-25
-2x+15=-25
so subtracted 6x from 4x right?

but on another problem i did
5x-15+3x+20=180
8x+5=180
so 5x+3x=8x

is it when it =180 i combine like terms and when they equal to each other (like 4x+15=6x-25), i subtract/add?

Answer 1

In your first example, the x's are on opposite sides. in your second example, the x's are on the same side.

Answer 2

so if they are on the same side, then i combine like terms?

Answer 3

@Shadow

Answer 4

generally yes

Answer 5

thanks.