How do you solve #124=4(1-5x)# using the distributive property?

1 Answer
smendyka
May 27, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Fixed expand the term in parenthesis on the right side of the equation by distributing the term outside the parenthesis across the two terms within the parenthesis:

#124 = color(red)(4)(1 - 5x)#

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

#124 = 4 - 20x#

Next, subtract #color(red)(4)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-color(red)(4) + 124 = -color(red)(4) + 4 - 20x#

#120 = 0 - 20x#

#120 = -20x#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-20)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#120/color(red)(-20) = (-20x)/color(red)(-20)#

#-6 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-20)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-20))#

#-6 = x#

#x = -6#

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