Solve Equations with Variables and Constants on Both Sides: example 8.34

Solve: $3 (x - 2) - 5 = 4 (2 x + 1) + 5 .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Solve: $6 (p - 3) - 7 = 5 (4 p + 3) - 12 .$

How did it go?


Distribute.
Combine like terms.
Subtract $3 x$ to get all the variables on the right since $8 > 3$ .
Simplify.
Subtract 9 to get the constants on the left.
Simplify.
Divide by 5.
Simplify.
Check: Substitute: $−4 = x$ .


Distribute.
Combine like terms.
Subtract $3 x$ to get all the variables on the right since $8 > 3$ .
Simplify.
Subtract 9 to get the constants on the left.
Simplify.
Divide by 5.
Simplify.
Check: Substitute: $−4 = x$ .