Question

what value of x makes this equation true

2(3x-8)=2(7x+2)

Answer 1

To solve the equation \( 2(3x - 8) = 2(7x + 2) \), we can start by dividing both sides by 2 to simplify:

\[
3x - 8 = 7x + 2
\]

Next, we can move the terms involving \( x \) to one side and the constant terms to the other side. Let's subtract \( 3x \) from both sides:

\[
-8 = 7x - 3x + 2
\]

This simplifies to:

\[
-8 = 4x + 2
\]

Now, subtract 2 from both sides to isolate the term with \( x \):

\[
-8 - 2 = 4x
\]

This simplifies to:

\[
-10 = 4x
\]

Now, divide both sides by 4 to solve for \( x \):

\[
x = \frac{-10}{4}
\]

This simplifies to:

\[
x = \frac{-5}{2} \text{ or } -2.5
\]

Thus, the value of \( x \) that makes the equation true is:

\[
\boxed{-\frac{5}{2}} \text{ or } -2.5
\]