Question

How do you solve `4(7x - 2) = - 36`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below"

Explanation:

Step 1) Divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(4)` to eliminate the need for parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

`(4(7x - 2))/color(red)(4) = -36/color(red)(4)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))(7x - 2))/cancel(color(red)(4)) = -9`

`7x - 2 = -9`

Step 2) Add `color(red)(2)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`7x - 2 + color(red)(2) = -9 + color(red)(2)`

`7x - 0 = -7`

`7x = -7`

Step 3) Divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(7)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(7x)/color(red)(7) = -7/color(red)(7)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(7)))x)/cancel(color(red)(7)) = -1`

`x = -1`