How do you solve 2.2x - 5= 2( 1.4x + 3)?

1 Answer
Mar 21, 2018

x=-18.33=-55/3

Explanation:

Use order of operations (PEMDAS).
color(blue)Paraentheses
color(blue)Exponents
color(blue)Multiplication/color(blue)Division
color(blue)Addition/color(blue)Subtraction

  1. Solve inside parentheses first. Since (1.4x+3) cannot be simplified any more, skip this step.

  2. There are no exponents, so skip this step.

  3. Multiply 2(1.4x+3) by distributing the 2. There is no division, so do not worry about dividing anything.
    2.2x - 5= color(red)(2(1.4x + 3))
    2.2x - 5= color(red)(2(1.4x)+2(3))
    2.2x - 5= color(red)(2.8x+6)

  4. Since we cannot simplify the equation by adding or subtracting, skip this step.

  5. Isolate and solve for x.
    color(red)(-0.6x)-5=6
    -0.6x=color(red)11
    x=-11/0.6=-18.33

EXTRA STEP: If your teacher wants the answer in fraction form, technically -11/0.6 is not correct because we cannot have a decimal in a fraction. Follow the steps below to rewrite it:
-11/(6/10)=-11/1-:6/10=-11/1*10/6=-110/6=-55/3