How do you solve $3(x + 1) = -2(x - 1) - 4$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2016-04-23T09:05:42

$3(x+1) = 2(-x+1)-4$
$3x + 3 = -2x + 2 -4$
$3x + 3 = -2x -2$
$5x = -5$
$x = -1$

First you need to expand out the brackets on both sides of the equals sign.

$3(x+1)$
$3x + 3$

Times the $3$ on the outside of the first set of brackets by $x$ and then by $1$ . This makes $3x + 3.$

Now expand the second set of brackets out. Remember that the $-4$ has nothing to do with this set of brackets.

$2(-x+1)$
$-2x + 2$

Here, you times $2$ by $-x$ . This makes $-2x$ . Then you times $2$ by $+1$ . This makes $+2$ .

Now write out the sum with the newly expanded brackets and the $-4$ .

$3x + 3 = -2x + 2 -4$

Collect the like terms on each side of the equals sign to make:

$3x + 3 = -2x -2$

I did the sum $+2 - 4$ to work this out.

Now you have to collect all the $x$ 's on one side and the other numbers on the other side.

$3x + 3 = -2x -2$

To cancel out $-2x$ you must $+2x$ on each side of the equals sign.

$5x + 3 = -2$

Then, to get rid of the $+3$ on the left side of the equals sign, you must $-3$ from each side of the equals sign.

$5x = -5$

Finally, to cancel down the answer, divide both sides of the equals sign by $5$ because both sides are divisible by $5$ .

$x = -1$

How do you solve 3(x + 1) = -2(x - 1) - 43(x + 1) = -2(x - 1) - 4?