Question

Gwyneth begins solving for x in the equation 2 (x minus 4) = 5 (4 minus 2 x) + 4 x. After applying the distributive property and combining like terms, which equation will Gwyneth have to solve in order to determine the value of x?
2 x minus 8 = 20 minus 14 x
2 x minus 8 = 20 minus 6 x
2 x minus 4 = 20 + 2 x
2 x minus 4 = 20 minus 6 x

Answer 1

Apply distributive property: 2(x − 4) = 2x − 8, and 5(4 − 2x) + 4x = 20 − 10x + 4x = 20 − 6x. So the equation becomes

2x − 8 = 20 − 6x

(that is the second option).