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)P#araentheses
#color(blue)E#xponents
#color(blue)M#ultiplication/#color(blue)D#ivision
#color(blue)A#ddition/#color(blue)S#ubtraction

  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#