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

1 Answer
Jun 23, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis on the left side of the equation by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

color(red)(3)(x + 3) = 5 - 2x

(color(red)(3) xx x) + (color(red)(3) xx 3) = 5 - 2x

3x + 9 = 5 - 2x

Next, subtract color(red)(9) and add color(blue)(2x) from each side of the equation to isolate the x term while keeping the equation balanced:

3x + color(blue)(2x) + 9 - color(red)(9) = 5 - color(red)(9) - 2x + color(blue)(2x)

(3 + color(blue)(2))x + 0 = -4 - 0

5x = -4

Now, divide each side of the equation by color(red)(5) to solve for x while keeping the equation balanced:

(5x)/color(red)(5) = -4/color(red)(5)

(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))x)/cancel(color(red)(5)) = -4/5

x = -4/5