How do I solve this problem?

Question

7(q + 2) + 3(2q -1) = -2

Answer 1

get rid of the parentheses:

7q + 14 + 6q - 3 = -2

Collect all the q's on the left, and all the numbers on the right:

13q = -13

divide by 13

q = -1

Check your answer

7(-1+2) + 3(2(-1)-1) = 7*1 + 3(-3) = 7 - 9 = -2