I need help with some algebra I just don't get.


3(5x-4) = 8x + 2


I just need someone to explain the basics.
I can figure out if someone would tell me how to do it.

This has been copied down incorrectly. No algebra problem has two equal signs.

The first = sign is probably a "+".

The first = could be a + or -, or the second = could be a + or -.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

The first = could be a + or -, or the second = could be a + or -.

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You betcha it could be, but IF , you guess wrong it will be the wrong answer, correct? Yes.

That's why I'm not guessing.

Maybe it's algebra for the 21st century...

MM/WG:

What key is above the "=" sign?
Ok, either "=" could be a "+"

But I'll bet dollars to donuts that someone didn't hold the shift key down long enough.

3(5x-4) = 8x = 2

Hello there, I believe you have written the question wrong.

IF the equation was 3(5x-4)+8x=2
first step

since the there is a "3" before the bracket you multiply the content of the brackets by 3.

Therefore it will be
15x-12+8x=2
15x+8x=2+12 (rearrange the like terms "x" and simplify. Take "-12" to the other side and it becomes "+12")

23x=14
x=14/23

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prettyybabyy

I need help with some algebra i just don't get.


3(5x-4) = 8x + 2


i just need someone to explain the basics.
i can figure out if someone would tell me how to do it.

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Yeahh uhm sorry I didn't hold the shift keyy down.
Stupid me.
Shesh!
No wonder I can't get it right.

3(5x-4) = 8x + 2

Multiply the numbers inside the parens by the 3. Move the x numbers to one side of the =, and the numbers without x to the other side of the =. Add or subtract as needed. Divide both sides by the same number to get x.

I have it figured out. The answer is...

(And I never thought I would ever use high school algebra. Woo woo!! )

Thanks a bunches.
More help then my teacher gives :]]

So what is the answer? (I'm sure the teacher explained how to move stuff onto either side of the = and then how to reduce for an answer... )

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prettyybabyy

Yeahh uhm sorry i didn't hold the shift keyy down.
stupid me.
shesh!!
no wonder i can't get it right.

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ah lol so its "3(5x-4) = 8x + 2" and not "3(5x-4)+8x = 2"

3(5x-4)=8x+2
15x-12=8x+2
15x-8x=12+2
7x=14
x=14/7
x=2

3(5x-4) = 8x + 2
To answer this, you would first distribute the 3.
15x-12=8x+2
Then after that, you would combine like terms.
7x=14
Then you would divide both sides by 7.
x=2.

OK, lets start. According to the combining like terms rule, the first thing yo must do is to eliminate the parenthesis by multiplying the numbers outside the parenthesis with the number inside it so if you got 3(5x-4)=8x+2 then you multiply 3 by every single number onside the parenthesis and you get 15x-12=8x+2, now still going with the combine like terms theorem you must pass all x variables to the left and all number to the right and you will get -14=-7x then because now you have all to its determined side you must divide both sides by -7 and you will get 2=x then you just invert it and you will get x=2 because the correct way of writing it x must go first. If you have any problem still just ask, but this is all the answer to the question.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prettyybabyy

I need help with some algebra i just don't get.


3(5x-4) = 8x + 2


i just need someone to explain the basics.
i can figure out if someone would tell me how to do it.

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all your doing is solvin for "x"
its 3(5x-4) = 8x+2
15x-4 = 8x+2
+4____+4
15x = 8x+6
-8x -8x
7x = 6
______
7 7
x = 6/7

actually I think IT IS possible to have two = signs!!
They have them in complicated problems =P

wait, wouldn't 3(5x-4) simplify as 15x-12??
this is confusing...

Simplify? No; Equivalent expression? Yes

15x - 12 = (3*5)x+(3*4); 15 = 3*5; 12= 3*4

Esentially doing prime factorization of both sides. 3 is common to both sides or you can divide both sides by 3.

Thus 5x+4;

Note that if you substitute x=1; just for fun
3(5*1-4)=15*1-12
3(5*-3) )= 15*-12

15*-12=15*-12

Same answer.

How to solve equation 3Z+U=12