Question

How do you solve `2(4x + 2) - 8 = 4(x + 3)`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis on each side of the equation:

`(2 xx 4x) + (2 xx 2) - 8 = (4 xx x) + (4 xx 3)`

`8x + 4 - 8 = 4x + 12`

`8x + -4 = 4x + 12`

`8x -4x = 12+4`

`8x = 4x +16`

Next, subtract `color(red)(4x)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`8x - color(red)(4x) = 4x + 16 - color(red)(4x)`

`(8 - 4)x = 4x - color(red)(4x) + 16`

`4x = 0 + 12`

`4x = 16`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(4)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(4x)/color(red)(4) = 16/color(red)(4)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))x)/cancel(color(red)(4)) = 4`

`x = 4`