Question

How do you solve `4( 1- 3x ) = 88`?

Answer 1

`x=-7`

Explanation:

equation
`4(1-3x)=88`

concepts applied
distributive property `a(b+c)=a(b)+a(c)`
(expanded) commutative property `a-b=c\leftrightarrowa-c=b`

calculation
`4(1-3x)=88`
distributive property `rArr4(1)-4(3x)=88`
commutative property `rArr4-88=4(3x)`
simplify multiplication `rArr4-88=12x`
simplify subtraction `rArr-84=12x`
divide both sides by 12 `rArr-84/\color(red)(12)=(\cancel(12)x)/\cancel(\color(red)(12))`

solution
`x=-7`

• checking
  `rArr4(1-3(-7))\stackrel{?}{=}88`
  `rArr4(1-(-21))\stackrel{?}{=}88`
  `rArr4-(-84)\stackrel{?}{=}88`
  `rArr88=88`