How do you solve 2(x-1) + 3= x -3(x+1)?

1 Answer
May 30, 2018

x = -1

Explanation:

2(x-1)+3 = x-3(x+1)

First, use the distributive property to simplify 2(x-1) and -3(x+1):
cdn.virtualnerd.com

Following this image, we know that:
color(blue)(2(x-1) = (2 * x) + (2 * -1) = 2x - 1)
and
color(blue)(-3(x+1) = (-3 * x) + (-3 * 1) = -3x + -3)

Put them back into the equation:
2x - 2 + 3 = x - 3x - 3

Simplify:
2x + 1 = -2x - 3

Add color(blue)(2x) to both sides of the equation:
2x + 1 quadcolor(blue)(+quad2x) = -2x - 3 quadcolor(blue)(+quad2x)

4x + 1 = -3

Subtract color(blue)1 from both sides of the equation:
4x + 1 quadcolor(blue)(-quad1) = -3 quadcolor(blue)(-quad1)

4x = -4

Divide both sides by color(blue)4:
(4x)/color(blue)4 = -4/color(blue)4

Therefore,
x = -1

Hope this helps!