How do you solve #3(x + 1) = -2(x - 1) - 4#?

Question

Eli Assouline · Accepted Answer

#3(x+1) = 2(-x+1)-4#
#3x + 3 = -2x + 2 -4#
#3x + 3 = -2x -2#
#5x = -5#
#x = -1# First you need to expand out the brackets on both sides of the equals sign. #3(x+1)# #3x + 3# Times the #3# on the outside of the first set of brackets by #x# and then by #1#. This makes #3x + 3.# Now expand the second set of brackets out. Remember that the #-4# has nothing to do with this set of brackets. #2(-x+1)# #-2x + 2# Here, you times #2# by #-x#. This makes #-2x#. Then you times #2# by #+1#. This makes #+2#. Now write out the sum with the newly expanded brackets and the #-4#. #3x + 3 = -2x + 2 -4# Collect the like terms on each side of the equals sign to make: #3x + 3 = -2x -2# I did the sum #+2 - 4# to work this out. Now you have to collect all the #x#'s on one side and the other numbers on the other side. #3x + 3 = -2x -2# To cancel out #-2x# you must #+2x# on each side of the equals sign. #5x + 3 = -2# Then, to get rid of the #+3# on the left side of the equals sign, you must #-3# from each side of the equals sign. #5x = -5# Finally, to cancel down the answer, divide both sides of the equals sign by #5# because both sides are divisible by #5#. #x = -1#

Kennedy Adams · Answer

undefined To solve the equation 3(x + 1) = -2(x - 1) - 4:

1. Distribute the terms inside the parentheses:
   3x + 3 = -2x + 2 - 4

2. Combine like terms:
   3x + 3 = -2x - 2

3. Add 2x to both sides to isolate x terms on one side:
   3x + 2x + 3 = -2

4. Combine like terms again:
   5x + 3 = -2

5. Subtract 3 from both sides:
   5x = -5

6. Divide both sides by 5:
   x = -1