Question

How do you solve `-2x - ( x - 4) = - 8`?

Answer 1

`x=4`

Explanation:

Solve:

`-2x-(x-4)=-8`

Expand left side.

`-2x-x+4=-8`

Simplify.

`-3x+4=-8`

Subtract `4` from both sides.

`-3x=-8-4`

Simplify.

`-3x=-12`

Divide both sides by `-3`.

`x=(-12)/(-3)` `larr` Two negatives make a positive.

Simplify.

`x=4`

Answer 2

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, remove the parenthesis on the left being careful to manage the signs correctly:

`-2x - (x - 4) = -8`

`-2x - x + 4 = -8`

Next, combine like terms on the left side of the equation:

`-2x - 1x + 4 = -8`

`(-2 - 1)x + 4 = -8`

`-3x + 4 = -8`

Then, subtract `color(red)(4)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-3x + 4 - color(red)(4) = -8 - color(red)(4)`

`-3x + 0 = -12`

`-3x = -12`

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

`(-3x)/color(red)(-3) = (-12)/color(red)(-3)`

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

`x = 4`