Question

How do you solve `3x + 3(x - 2) - 12 = -24`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis by multiplying the terms within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

`3x + color(red)(3)(x - 2) - 12 = -24`

`3x + (color(red)(3) * x) - (color(red)(3) * 2) - 12 = -24`

`3x + 3x - 6 - 12 = -24`

`(3 + 3)x + (-6 - 12) = -24`

`6x + (-18) = -24`

`6x - 18 = -24`

Next, add `color(red)(18)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`6x - 18 + color(red)(18) = -24 + color(red)(18)`

`6x - 0 = -6`

`6x = -6`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(6)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(6x)/color(red)(6) = -6/color(red)(6)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(6)))x)/cancel(color(red)(6)) = -1`

`x = -1`