Distribute Terms: Distribute the −4 inside the parentheses.−4×−2x gives us 8x, and −4×−4 gives us 16. So the equation becomes 8x+16+2x+5=31.
Combine Like Terms: Combine like terms on the left side of the equation.8x and 2x are like terms, so we add them together to get 10x. We also combine 16 and 5 to get 21. The equation now is 10x+21=31.
Isolate x Term: Subtract 21 from both sides of the equation to isolate the term with x.10x+21−21=31−21 simplifies to 10x=10.
Solve for x: Divide both sides of the equation by 10 to solve for x. 1010x=1010 simplifies to x=1.
More problems from Solve two-step equations with parentheses