How do you solve 4(x + 0.5) = 2(x - 1.5) 4(x+0.5)=2(x1.5)?

1 Answer
Feb 10, 2017

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis on each side of the equation:

(4 xx x) + (4 xx 0.5) = (2 xx x) - (2 1.5)(4×x)+(4×0.5)=(2×x)(21.5)

4x + 2 = 2x - 34x+2=2x3

Next, subtract color(red)(2)2 and color(blue)(2x)2x from each side of the equation to isolate the xx term while keeping the equation balanced:

4x + 2 - color(red)(2) - color(blue)(2x) = 2x - 3 - color(red)(2) - color(blue)(2x)4x+222x=2x322x

4x - color(blue)(2x) + 2 - color(red)(2) = 2x - color(blue)(2x) - 3 - color(red)(2)4x2x+22=2x2x32

2x + 0 = 0 - 52x+0=05

2x = -52x=5

Now, divide each side of the equation by color(red)(2)2 to solve for xx while keeping the equation balanced:

(2x)/color(red)(2) = -5/color(red)(2)2x2=52

(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))x)/cancel(color(red)(2)) = -2.5

x -2.5