Clear all brackets
Distribute on each side first; then it’s a variables-on-both-sides equation.
Why it works
Open every bracket before moving terms.
Solving Equations · Distribute & combine · 5.3
Distribute both sides.
Distribute any brackets on both sides, then collect the variable terms and solve. 2(x + 1) = x + 4 → 2x + 2 = x + 4 → x = 2.
See it work.
Watch the method
Distribute on both sides
2(x + 1) = x + 4 → 2x + 2 = x + 4 → x = 2.
1
The equation
Solve for x — find the value that makes both sides equal.
2
Simplify each side
Distribute and combine like terms on each side.
3
Collect the x terms
Subtract 1x from both sides to get the x terms together.
4
Move the constant
Subtract 2 from both sides.
5
Read the solution
x is already by itself.
Practice until it feels automatic.
Your turn
Solve for x.
Type the value of x — a number or a fraction like 3/2.
streak 0
best 0
…x =
The idea underneath.
From easy to tricky.
Solve 2(x + 1) = 1x + 7
1
The equation
Solve for x — find the value that makes both sides equal. 2(x + 1) = 1x + 7
2
Simplify each side
Distribute and combine like terms on each side. 2x + 2 = x + 7
3
Collect the x terms
Subtract 1x from both sides to get the x terms together. x + 2 = 7
4
Move the constant
Subtract 2 from both sides. x = 5
5
Read the solution
x is already by itself. x = 5
Solve 3(x + 5) = 2x + 19
1
The equation
Solve for x — find the value that makes both sides equal. 3(x + 5) = 2x + 19
2
Simplify each side
Distribute and combine like terms on each side. 3x + 15 = 2x + 19
3
Collect the x terms
Subtract 2x from both sides to get the x terms together. x + 15 = 19
4
Move the constant
Subtract 15 from both sides. x = 4
5
Read the solution
x is already by itself. x = 4
Solve 2(x + 3) = 1x + 12
1
The equation
Solve for x — find the value that makes both sides equal. 2(x + 3) = 1x + 12
2
Simplify each side
Distribute and combine like terms on each side. 2x + 6 = x + 12
3
Collect the x terms
Subtract 1x from both sides to get the x terms together. x + 6 = 12
4
Move the constant
Subtract 6 from both sides. x = 6
5
Read the solution
x is already by itself. x = 6
Where students slip.
Trap
Distributing one side only.
Fix
Clear brackets on BOTH sides.
Trap
Forgetting to collect the x terms after.
Fix
Then bring the variables together.
Test yourself.
The Test
12 problems across three tiers. Auto-graded on submit. Hints and a full walkthrough on every question. Your work is saved on this device — sign in to keep it across devices.
0/12Answered
How to answerType just the value. Formatting won't trip you up — we ignore spaces, capital letters, commas, and subscript style, so
t₁ = 5, d = 3 and t1=5,d=3 both count. For a list of numbers, separate them with commas (e.g. 3, 10, 17).Core
Core (4)
C1
Solve 4(x + 3) = 2x + 6
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
C2
Solve 2(x - 3) = 1x - 2
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
C3
Solve 4(x + 5) = 3x + 23
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
C4
Solve 4(x + 3) = 2x + 24
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
Apply
Apply (4)
A1
Solve 3(x + 2) = 1x + 10
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
A2
Solve 4(x + 3) = 3x + 10
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
A3
Solve 4(x - 1) = 2x + 4
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
A4
Solve 3(x - 3) = 1x - 17
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
Extension
Extension (4)
E1
Solve 4(x + 2) = 2x + 2
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
E2
Solve 4(x + 3) = 3x + 18
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
E3
Solve 4(x - 4) = 2x - 6
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.
E4
Solve 4(x + 5) = 3x + 25
Need a hint?
- Distribute every bracket.
- Collect x terms, then solve.