Question

How do you solve `3x - (-24 - x) = 60`?

Answer 1

x = 4

Explanation:

distribute to obtain

3x + 24 + x = 60

collect 'like terms' → 4x +24 = 60

subtract 24 from both sides to obtain 4x = 16

divide both sides by 4

hence x = 4

Answer 2

`x=9`

Explanation:

`3x-(-24-x)=60`

Change signs for subtracting:

`rarr3x+24+x=60`

`rarr4x+24=60`

`rarr4x=60-24`

`rarr4x=36`

`rarrx=36/4=9`