Question

How do you solve `\frac { 3x + 8} { 4} = 40`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, multiply each side of the equation by `color(red)(4)` to eliminate the fraction while keeping the equation balanced:

`color(red)(4) xx (3x + 8)/4 = color(red)(4) xx 40`

`cancel(color(red)(4)) xx (3x + 8)/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4))) = 160`

`3x + 8 = 160`

Next, subtract `color(red)(8)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`3x + 8 - color(red)(8) = 160 - color(red)(8)`

`3x + 0 = 152`

`3x = 152`

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

`(3x)/color(red)(3) = 152/color(red)(3)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = 152/3`

`x = 152/3`