Question

How do you solve `3( 3x - 4) = 42`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(3)` to eliminate the parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

`3(3x - 4) = 42`

`(3(3x - 4))/color(red)(3) = 42/color(red)(3)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))(3x - 4))/cancel(color(red)(3)) = 14`

`3x - 4 = 14`

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

`3x - 4 + color(red)(4) = 14 + color(red)(4)`

`3x - 0 = 18`

`3x = 18`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(3)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(3x)/color(red)(3) = 18/color(red)(3)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = 6`

`x = 6`