3( x + 1 ) = - 2 ( x - 1 ) + 6
1) Clear the parentheses by distributing the 3 and the - 2
When you have done that, this is what you will get:
3x + 3 = - 2x + 2 + 6
2) Combine the like terms on the right
You will get this:
3x + 3 = - 2x + 8
3) Add 2x to both sides to collect all the x terms together on the same side
When you finish doing that, you will have
5x + 3 = 8
4) Subtract 3 from both sides to isolate the 5x term alone on one side
You will get
5x = 5
5) Divide both sides by 5 to isolate x
x = 1 <-- answer
