given -2(x + 1) = 5x + 4 - x ( distribute left side )
-2x - 2 = 4x + 4 ( simplifying both sides )
subtract 4x from both sides
- 6x - 2 = 4 ( add 2 to both sides )
- 6x = 6 ( variable by itself on left side )
divide both sides by - 6
x =
= - 1
as a check, substitute x = - 1 into the equation and if both sides are equal then it is the solution.
left side = - 2(-1 + 1 ) = - 2 × 0 = 0
right side = (5 × - 1) + 4 - (- 1) - 5 + 4 + 1 = 0
hence x = - 1 is the solution