Question

The equation to determine the number of cars max bought over the years is 3(7x 2) = 5(4x 1) 17, where x represents the number of the number of cars max bought over the years.

Answer 1

To find the number of cars Max bought over the years, distribute and combine like terms in the given equation. Solving it yields that Max bought 16 cars.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's equation, when simplified, will reveal the number of cars Max bought over the years. To solve the equation, follow these steps:

1. Distribute the multiplication across the parentheses: 3(7x + 2) = 21x + 6.
2. Apply the same distribution on the right side of the equation: 5(4x + 1) + 17 = 20x + 5 + 17.
3. Combine like terms on each side: 21x + 6 = 20x + 22.
4. Subtract 20x from both sides to get x alone on one side: x = 16.

This result indicates that Max bought 16 cars over the years, if the initial equation represents a correct relationship.