Question

How do you solve `-36= - 8u + 6( u - 8)`?

Answer 1

`u=-6`

Explanation:

`"distribute and simplify"`

`-36=-8u+6u-48`

`"add 48 to both sides"`

`-36+48=-2u`

`12=-2u`

`"divide both sides by "-2`

`12/(-2)=urArru=-6`

`color(blue)"As a check"`

Substitute this value into the right side of the equation and if equal to the left then it is the solution.

`(-8xx-6)+(6xx-14)=48-84=-36`

`u=-6" is the solution"`

Answer 2

`u = -6`

Explanation:

First, expand the brackets through FOIL

`-36 = -8u +6u - 48`

Then add like `u` terms

`-36 = -2u - 48`

Isolate `u` by taking the `-48` to the left side, changing its sign to positive `48`.

`-36 + 48 = -2u`

Add `-36` to `48` to get.

`12 = -2u`

You can’t have a negative answer, so you need to divide by `-2` on both sides. Diving two negatives gives a positive, hence

`12/-2 = (-2u)/-2`

`-6 = u`