examples

Example 1: 3·(x + 2) = 9

–Remove the parenthesis by doing the distributive property 3x + 6 = 9

–Take the variables.. 3x = 9 – 6

–Reduce . . 3x = 3

–Work out . . .

- Check … 3·(1 + 2) = 9; 3·3 = 9; 9 = 9

Example 2: x + 5 – 2x = 3·(x + 1) -18

–Remove .. x + 5 – 2x = 3x + 3 - 18

–Take the variables.. x – 2x – 3x = 3 – 18 - 5

–Reduce . . x – 5x = 3 – 23

-4x = -20

–Work out . . .

–Check … 5 + 5 – 2·5 = 3·(5 + 1) – 18

10 – 10 = 3·6 – 18

0 = 18 – 18 0 = 0

Exercise; solve the following equations as the examples before:

a) 3x - 5 = x + 7

b) 5x + 3 = 2·(x + 4) - 15 - 2 (x + 3)

c) 8x - 5 + 2x - (x + 1) = 3 (x + 3) - 5x - 15

Solutions: a) x = 6; b) x = -16/5; c) x = 0