Question

How do you solve `4(x-2)=5`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Step 1) Divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(4)` to eliminate the need for parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

`(4(x - 2))/color(red)(4) = 5/color(red)(4)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))(x - 2))/cancel(color(red)(4)) = 5/4`

`x - 2 = 5/4`

Step 2) Add `color(red)(2)` to each side of the equation to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`x - 2 + color(red)(2) = 5/4 + color(red)(2)`

`x - 0 = 5/4 + (4/4 xx color(red)(2))`

`x = 5/4 + 8/4`

`x = 13/4`

Answer 2

`x = 13/4`

Explanation:

Divide both sides by 4 to get

`x-2 = 5/4`

Add `2` to both sides to get

`x = 5/4 +2`

Calculate and get

`x = 13/4`