2(x+10)+3x=85 2x+20+3x=85 I used Distributive property (2x+3x) +20=85 Combine like terms 5x+20-20=85-20 now i need to get rid of the 20 so i subtract it (the reason for this is because it is positive you have to so the oposite, in this case subtract) from that side, and what you do to one side you have to do to the other 5x=65 is what you have now 5x/5=65/5 Now i need to get rid of the 5 by divition, so i do it to both sides x=13 is the answer