Question

Which value of x makes the following equation true?

4(x - 1) = -4x + 60

A. 8
B. 12
C. 11
D. 9

Answer 1

It would be A because if you plug in 8 for x on each side you get 28 which makes the equation true

Answer 2

The easiest way is to just solve the equation.
4x - 4 = -4x + 60
4x + 4x = 4 + 60
8x = 64
x = 8

A slower way to do this is to plug each of the numbers into the equation to see which makes the equation is true.
So for A.
4(8 - 1) = -4(8) + 60
4(7) = -32 + 60
28 = 28
Fortunately, this is true, so A is the answer and you don't have to try the other options.