How do you solve #26x - 9- 17x + 2= 21x - 9- 12x + 13#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-09-19T02:33:11

See a solution process below:

First, group and combine like terms on each side of the equation:

#26x - 17x - 9 + 2 = 21x - 12x - 9 + 13#

#(26 - 17)x + (-9 + 2) = (21 - 12)x + (-9 + 13)#

#9x + (-7) = 9x + 4#

#9x - 7 = 9x + 4#

Now, subtract #color(red)(9x)# from each side of the equation:

#-color(red)(9x) + 9x - 7 = -color(red)(9x) + 9x + 4#

#0 - 7 = 0 + 4#

#-7 != 4#

Because these two numbers are obviously not equal there is no solution to this equation. Or, the solution is the null or empty set:

#{O/}#