How do you solve #2/5(10x + 25) = -10 - 4(x +3)#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-07-29T17:14:06

Use the distributive property, then solve for #x#.

The distributive property states that #a(b+c)=a*b+a*c#. Let's use this on the two parenthetical problems:

#2/5(10x+25)=2/5*10x+2/5*25=4x+10#

#-4(x-3)=-4*x+-4*-3=-4x+12#

We now have #4x+10=-10-4x+12#.

Let's combine like terms to make this easier:

#4x+10=-4x+2#

Next, let's isolate #x# by subtracting 10 from each side...

#4x=-4x-8#

...and adding 4x to each side:

#8x=-8#

Finally, let's divide each side by 8:

#x=-1#