3 (x + 1) = 5 + x
First you must distribute the 3 to the values inside the parentheses:
3 (x + 1) = 5 + x
(3 * x) + (3 * 1) = 5 + x
3x + 3 = 5 + x
Now you must combine like terms. Like terms are numbers that have matching variables like 3x and x OR are numbers with out variables like 3 and 5.
3x - x = 5 - 3
2x = 2
Next, to completely isolate x, divide 2 to both sides. Since 2 is being multiplied by x, division (the opposite of multiplication) will cancel 2 out (in this case it will make 2 one) from the left side and bring it over to the right side.
2x / 2 = 2 / 2
1x = 1
Check:
3 (1 + 1) = 5 + 1
3 (2) = 5 + 1
6 = 6
^^^This is true, therefore:
x = 1
Hope this helped!
~Just a girl in love with Shawn Mendes