Question

Solve multi-step equations15 = 2a + 3(3a - 6)) -3x + 5 = 4x - 9

Answer 1

a=3

x=6

Explanation

$\begin{gathered} 15=2a+3(3a-6)=4x-9 \\ \text{then} \\ 15=4x-9\text{ Equation(1)} \\ \end{gathered}$

Step 1

apply the distributive property to eliminate the parenthesis

$\begin{gathered} 15=2a+3(3a-6)=4x-9 \\ 15=2a+9a-18=4x-9 \\ 15=11a-18\text{ Equation (2)} \end{gathered}$

Step 2

find x using Equation (1)

$\begin{gathered} 15=4x-9 \\ 15+9=4x \\ 4x=24 \\ x=\frac{24}{4} \\ x=6 \end{gathered}$

Step 3

find "a" using Equation(2)

$\begin{gathered} 15=11a-18 \\ 15+18=11a \\ 33=11a \\ a=\frac{33}{11} \\ a=3 \\ \end{gathered}$

I hope this helps you