Question

IM REALLY CONFUSED, please help

A. Given the equation 6(x + 3) = 3x − 3, solve for the variable. Explain each step and justify your process.
B. Jeff solved a similar equation below. Is Jeff's solution correct? Explain why or why not.
5x − 2 = 3(x + 2)
5x − 2 = 3x + 6
8x = 8
x = 1

Answer 1

6(x + 3) = 3x - 3 Given
6x + 18 = 3x - 3 Distribute the 6
6x = 3x - 21 Subtract 18 from both sides
3x = - 21 Subtract 3x from both sides
x = -7 Divide both sides by 3

5x - 2 = 3(x + 2)
5x - 2 = 3x + 6
5x = 3x + 8
2x = 8
x = 4

Jeff's solution is incorrect; his solution is incorrect because he added 3x to the left side when he should have subtracted it to cancel it from the right side.

Hope this helps.