Question

How do you solve `- 3= 3- 4( x + 1)`?

Answer 1

`x=0.5`

Explanation:

`-3=3-4(x+1)`

`-3-3=-4(x+1)`

`-6=-4(x+1)`

`(-6)/-4= (-4(x+1))/-4`

`1.5=x+1`

So

`1.5-1=x`

`x=0.5`

Answer 2

`x=1/2`

Explanation:

`-3=3-\color(red)(4(x+1))`

Let's solve the red part. Do the Distributive Property:
`-4(x+1)=-4(x)+(-4)(1)=-4x-4`

So now we have
`-3=3+[\color(red)(-4x-4)]`
`\rArr-3=3-4x-4`

Add anything without an `x` and move to the left side.
`-3=3-4-4x`
`\rArr-3=-1-4x`
`\rArr-2=-4x`

Divide to find `x`
`-2\div(-4)=x`
`1/2=x`

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Check answer:
`-3\stackrel(?)(=)3-4(\color(seagreen)(1/2)+1)`
`-3\stackrel(?)(=)3-4(1/2)-4(1)`
`-3\stackrel(?)(=)3-2-4`
`-3\stackrel(?)(=)1-4`
`-3=-3\color(lightgreen)(\sqrt())`