Question

How do you solve `3(x+7)= -2x-(3x+3)`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis on each side of the equation:

`color(red)(3)(x + 7) = -2x - (3x + 3)`

`(color(red)(3) xx x) + (color(red)(3) xx 7) = -2x - 3x - 3`

`3x + 21 = (-2 - 3)x - 3`

`3x + 21 = -5x - 3`

Next, subtract `color(red)(21)` and add `color(blue)(5x)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`3x + 21 - color(red)(21) + color(blue)(5x) = -5x - 3 - color(red)(21) + color(blue)(5x)`

`3x + color(blue)(5x) + 21 - color(red)(21) = -5x + color(blue)(5x) - 3 - color(red)(21)`

`(3 + 5)x + 0 = 0 - 24`

`8x = -24`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(8)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(8x)/color(red)(8) = -24/color(red)(8)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(8)))x)/cancel(color(red)(8)) = -3`

`x = -3`