Q: Solve: 2(x + 3) + 3 = -3(3x + 1) – 3x
A: OK, we start by distributing on both the left and the right to get rid of parentheses like so:
2(x + 3) + 3 = -3(3x + 1) – 3x
2x + 6 + 3 = -9x – 3 – 3x [I mulitplied the 2 through on the left side…. and I multiplied the -3 through on the right side.. Make sense?]
Now, combine like terms:
2x + 9 = -12x – 3
Now, add 12x to both sides:
2x + 9 + 12x = -12x – 3 + 12x
Notice the -12x and the 12x on the right side will cancel out!
14x + 9 = -3
Subtract 9 from both sides:
14x + 9 – 9 = -3 – 9
14x = -12
Divide both sides by 14:
14x/14 = -12/14
x = -12/14 = -6/7