How do you solve #2(3x +1)-9x= -1#?

1 Answer
Jul 29, 2016

Use the distributive property, then solve for #x#.

Explanation:

The distributive states that #a(b+c)=a*b+a*c#. Let's use this on the parenthetical problem:

#2(3x+1)=2*3x+2*1=6x+2#

We now have #6x+2-9x=-1#.

Next, let's combine like terms by subtracting 9x from 6x:

#2-3x=-1#

To get our answer, let's subtract 2 from each side...

#-3x=-3#

...and divide each side by -3:

#x=1#