Question

How do you solve `12x - 28=4x - 36`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add `color(red)(28)` and subtract `color(blue)(4x)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`12x - color(blue)(4x) - 28 + color(red)(28) = 4x - color(blue)(4x) - 36 + color(red)(28)`

`(12 - color(blue)(4))x - 0 = 0 - 8`

`8x = -8`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(8)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equality balanced:

`(8x)/color(red)(8) = -8/color(red)(8)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(8)))x)/cancel(color(red)(8)) = -1`

`x = -1`