Question

How do you solve `10- 2( 3x - 7) = 18`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, subtract `color(red)(10)` from each side of the equation to isolate the term with parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

`-color(red)(10) + 10 - 2(3x - 7) = -color(red)(10) + 18`

`0 - 2(3x - 7) = 8`

`-2(3x - 7) = 8`

Next, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-2)` to eliminate the need for parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-2(3x - 7))/color(red)(-2) = 8/color(red)(-2)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-2)))(3x - 7))/cancel(color(red)(-2)) = -4`

`3x - 7 = -4`

Then, add `color(red)(7)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`3x - 7 + color(red)(7) = -4 + color(red)(7)`

`3x - 0 = 3`

`3x = 3`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(3)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(3x)/color(red)(3) = 3/color(red)(3)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = 1`

`x = 1`