solve the following equation

5x + 8 = 3 (x - 2)

show your work including your checked solution

1 answer

First, distribute the 3 on the right side of the equation:

5x + 8 = 3x - 6

Next, move the variables to one side:

5x - 3x = -6 - 8
2x = -14

Finally, solve for x:

x = -14 / 2
x = -7

To check the solution, substitute x = -7 back into the original equation:

5(-7) + 8 = 3(-7) - 2
-35 + 8 = -21 - 2
-27 = -23

Both sides are not equal, so x = -7 is not the correct solution. Let's reevaluate the equation:

5x + 8 = 3(x - 2)
5x + 8 = 3x - 6
5x - 3x = -6 - 8
2x = -14
x = -14 / 2
x = -7

The correct solution for x is x = -7. The error might have been made during the checking process. Let's recheck the solution:

5(-7) + 8 = 3(-7 - 2)
-35 + 8 = 3(-9)
-27 = -27

Therefore, x = -7 is the correct solution.