Question

solve for x : 6x+8+2(4x-2) + 2(8x+21) - (6x+5)=180

Answer 1

clear of ()

6x + 8 + 8x - 4 + 16x + 42 - 6x - 5 = 180

combine like terms

24x + 41 = 180

subtract 41

24x = 139

divide by 24

x = 5 19/24

Answer 2

6x+8+2(4x-2) + 2(8x+21) - (6x+5)=180
We first work out any thing that's (ax+b) were a and b are integers
a)
2(4x-2) = 8x-4

b)
2(8x+21) = 16x+42

c)
-(6x+5)= (-1)(6x+5)
(-1)(6x+5) = -6x-5
--------------------------------
6x+8+8x-4+16x+42-6x-5=180

We now group like terms as seen in the following
(6x+8x+16x-6x)+(8-4+42-5) = 180
x(6+8+16-6)+(8-4+42-5) = 180
x(14+10)+(4+37) = 180
x(24)+(41) = 180
24x + 41 = 180
Now everyting is looking fairly simple.
We need to isolate x now
We first subtract 41 from both sides;
24x + 41 - 41= 180 - 41
24x = 180 - 41 = 139
24x = 139
We now divide each side by 24
24x/24 = 139/24
(24/24)x = 139/24
(24/24) = 1
x = 139/24