Question

Misha solves the equation 3 x minus 2 (x + 3) = 4 (x minus 2) minus 7 by applying the distributive property to each side of the equation. The result is 3 x minus 2 x minus 6 = 4 x minus 8 minus 7. Misha then wants to combine like terms. Which are the terms Misha should combine?

Answer 1

2(x+3)=4

2x+6=4

2x=4-6

2x=-2

2x÷2

x=1

Answer 2

The terms that Misha should combine are 3x – 2x and –8 – 7

Explanation:

Misha have the equation : 3x-2(x+3) = 4(x-2)-7

After applying distributive property, a(b+c) = ab+ac

3x - 2x - 6 = 4x - 8- 7 ..............(1)

Now, we need to combine the like terms, like terms are the terms having the same coefficient and combining them means to combine their coefficients.

In equation (1), 3x and -2x are like terms as it have the same coefficient x

Hence we will solve them and get (3-2)x = x

Similarly, -8 and -7 can be solved and we get -7-8 = -15

Now, the equation becomes, x-6 = 4x-15

Then, again collecting the like terms on L.H.S and R.h.s and then solving, we get

4x - x = 15-6

3x = 9

x = 3