How do you solve #5( x - 4) = 4( x + 1)#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-06-29T02:49:41

See a solution process below:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

#color(red)(5)(x - 4) = color(blue)(4)(x + 1)#

#(color(red)(5) xx x) - (color(red)(5) xx 4) = (color(blue)(4) xx x) + (color(blue)(4) xx 1)#

#5x - 20 = 4x + 4#

Next, add #color(red)(20)# and subtract #color(blue)(4x)# from each side of the equation to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#-color(blue)(4x) + 5x - 20 + color(red)(20) = -color(blue)(4x) + 4x + 4 + color(red)(20)#

#(-color(blue)(4) + 5)x - 0 = 0 + 24#

#1x = 24#

#x = 24#