How do you solve 2x + 31= - 7( 1- 3x )?

1 Answer
Oct 6, 2016

x=2

Explanation:

You are given: 2x+31=-7(1-3x)

Use the distributive property to distribute the -7 to (1-3x). The equation should end up looking like this:

2x+31=-7(1-3x)
2x+31=(-7)(1)-(-7)(3x)
2x+31=-7+21x

Next, you want to get all of the variables (x) on one side of the equation, and all of the number part on the other side. First subtract -7 from both sides; then subtract 2x from both sides.

2x+31=-7+21x
2x-(2x)+31-(-7)=-7-(-7)+21x-(2x)
cancel(2x-(2x))+31-(-7)=cancel(-7-(-7))+21x-(2x)

After simplifying, you should be left with:
38=19x

Divide both sides by 19 to get x by itself.
38/19=(19x)/19
2=x