Expert: Scott A Wilson - 1/30/2011

Question
5-2(x-4)= -2

Answer
When soliving problems like this, almost always multiply out the parenthesis first.
Once this has been done, put all the contstants on one side and the variable on the other.\

Now 2(x-4) = 2x - 8, and when subtracted it become -2x+8.
Putting that in gives 5 - 2x + 8 = -2.

Now 5+8 = 13, so we have 13 - 2x = -2.
Subtract 13 from both sides and on the left we have 13 - 13 = 0 and on the right its -2-13=-15.
This gives -2x = -15.

Now that we have put x on one side and the constant on the other, we're almost done.
The last step is to divide by -2, giving x = 15/2 = 7 1/2.

An important note on such a problem is that (-)*(-) = +.