Question

How do you solve `4x - 11- 2x - 17= - 4`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, group and combine like terms on the left side of the equation:

`4x - 2x - 11 - 17 = -4`

`(4 - 2)x + (-11 - 17) = -4`

`2x + (-28) = -4`

`2x - 28 = -4`

Next, add `color(red)(28)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`2x - 28 + color(red)(28) = -4 + color(red)(28)`

`2x - 0 = 24`

`2x = 24`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(2)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(2x)/color(red)(2) = 24/color(red)(2)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))x)/cancel(color(red)(2)) = 12`

`x = 12`