How do you a equation like:

4x + X +2(42-6)-23 + 5x =81
_
2

2 answers

Is the whole left side of the equation divided by 2, or just the 4x ?

Just perform the indicated operations, such as
2(42-6)-23 = 72 - 23 = 49

and the answer should become aparent.
Start w/ the parentheses and go in order: AKA please excuse my dear aunt sally, parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction.) It's easy.