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the411
Nov 19, 2007, 05:52 PM
Hello, I have a test tomorrow in my algebra class and I need to pass this test in order to pass that class. I get most of it but I'm really worried because I don't understand how to solve the equations. For example this is what the equations look like:

7(x-3) = 7(4x+5)

can you please show me how to solve this? I know most of it but I don't know how to fully solve the problem. If you could please show me and explain how to do this step by step it would really help. Thank you!

asterisk_man
Nov 19, 2007, 06:18 PM
the basic idea is to first expand all terms (perform the multiplication) and then collect like terms (put all the x together), put x by itself on one side and divide the other by the number multiplying x.

for example:
2(2x-1)=7(x-2)+3x \\
\text{first expand all terms} \\
4x-2=7x-14+3x \\
\text{collect like terms} \\
4x-2=10x-14 \\
\text{isolate x term} \\
12=6x \\
\text{divide and leave only x} \\
2=x