How do you solve 2.2x - 5= 2( 1.4x + 3)2.2x−5=2(1.4x+3)?

1 Answer
mimi
Mar 21, 2018

x=-18.33=-55/3x=−18.33=−553

Explanation:

Use order of operations (PEMDAS).
color(blue)PParaentheses
color(blue)EExponents
color(blue)MMultiplication/color(blue)DDivision
color(blue)AAddition/color(blue)SSubtraction

  1. Solve inside parentheses first. Since (1.4x+3)(1.4x+3) cannot be simplified any more, skip this step.

  2. There are no exponents, so skip this step.

  3. Multiply 2(1.4x+3)2(1.4x+3) by distributing the 22. There is no division, so do not worry about dividing anything.
    2.2x - 5= color(red)(2(1.4x + 3))2.2x−5=2(1.4x+3)
    2.2x - 5= color(red)(2(1.4x)+2(3))2.2x−5=2(1.4x)+2(3)
    2.2x - 5= color(red)(2.8x+6)2.2x−5=2.8x+6

  4. Since we cannot simplify the equation by adding or subtracting, skip this step.

  5. Isolate and solve for xx.
    color(red)(-0.6x)-5=6−0.6x−5=6
    -0.6x=color(red)11−0.6x=11
    x=-11/0.6=-18.33x=−110.6=−18.33

EXTRA STEP: If your teacher wants the answer in fraction form, technically -11/0.6−110.6 is not correct because we cannot have a decimal in a fraction. Follow the steps below to rewrite it:
-11/(6/10)=-11/1-:6/10=-11/1*10/6=-110/6=-55/3−11610=−111÷610=−111⋅106=−1106=−553

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