Expert: Richard J. Raridon - 10/14/2011

Question
I'm having issues solving some equations that have variables on both sides. The main problems are:
3w + 2 = 2 - 10w

-3(b + 8) - 5 = 9(b + 2) + 1

.4(x - 12) = 1.2(x - 4)

thanks for your help!

Answer
You can add or subtract the same thing from both sides of an equation without changing the answer.
3w+2 = 2-10w, if you subtract 2 from each side you have 3w = 10w which can only be true if w=0
-3b-24-5 = 9b+18+1, -3b-29 = 9b+19, add 3b to each side to get -29 = 12b+19
then subtract 19 from each side to get -48 = 12b.  Divide each side by 12 to get -4 = b
.4x-4.8 = 1.2x-4.8, add 4.8 to each side and you have .4x = 1.2x so x = 0