Question

How do you solve `3( x + 3) = 5- 2x`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis on the left side of the equation by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

`color(red)(3)(x + 3) = 5 - 2x`

`(color(red)(3) xx x) + (color(red)(3) xx 3) = 5 - 2x`

`3x + 9 = 5 - 2x`

Next, subtract `color(red)(9)` and add `color(blue)(2x)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`3x + color(blue)(2x) + 9 - color(red)(9) = 5 - color(red)(9) - 2x + color(blue)(2x)`

`(3 + color(blue)(2))x + 0 = -4 - 0`

`5x = -4`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(5)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

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

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

`x = -4/5`