Let’s make moves to try to isolate the variable x, or get x alone on one side of the equation. There are many ways that you could start. For this problem, start by rewriting the left side to get rid of the parentheses. Distribute the 4 and rewrite the left side of the equation with equivalent expressions. What is (4·2x) – (4·2)?

4(2x –2) + 2 = 8x−8
? – ? + 2 = 8x-8

1 answer

To simplify the left side of the equation \( 4(2x - 2) + 2 = 8x - 8 \), we start by distributing the 4 to both terms inside the parentheses.

  1. Distribute the 4: \[ 4(2x) - 4(2) = 8x - 8 \]

  2. Then, rewrite the left side of the equation: \[ 8x - 8 + 2 = 8x - 8 \]

  3. Combine like terms on the left side: \[ 8x - 6 = 8x - 8 \]

Thus, the equation can be rewritten as: \[ 8x - 6 = 8x - 8 \]

So, filling in the blanks: \[ 8x - 6 + 2 = 8x - 8 \] Here, \( ? = 8x - 6 \) and \( ? = -6 \).