need help with this math problem?

Question

im not the best at algebra and need to go though it for my electricians test.

here's the layout
x = letter "x"
* = times (multiplication)
- = subtract
+ = add

solve the equation

3x-4=8x+3

now what i got from that was
3x - 3*4 = 8x + 8*3
using distributive property.

my question is what do i do from there?

my instructor says to do distributive property then add like terms

Answer 1

Solving this type of equation is quite easy.What you have to do is just to regroup similar terms on either side of the equation.Remember an equation has two sides left hand side on the left of the "=" sign and the right hand side on the right side of "=".When you transfer one term from one side to the other the sign must be changed i.e. + becomes - and similrly - becomes +. So after this short introduction ,let us proceed to solve the equation in question. 3x - 4 =8x + 3 or, 3x - 8x = 3 +4 or,-5x= 7 Therefore ,the value of x(the unknown quantity) is 7/- 5 =- 7/5 = - 1 2/5

Answer 2

Okay, well I don't see any * (star) symbols in the original problem. Are there supposed to be some? If the original problem is :
3(x-4) = 8(x+3), then you have the right idea. Distribute means to multiply the number outside to all inside. So...
3x-12 = 8x +24 would be right. To solve from here, you would do the opposite operation of your pick of the terms. I usually start with the lowest variable term (the non-numbered term...the one with letters in it in other words)
3x-12 = 8x +24
-3x -3x (subtract 3x to both sides to keep equation balanced)

-12 = 5x +24

Okay now we get all the numbers to one side (since we already got the variables to one side)...so subtract 24 to both sides

-12 = 5x +24
-24 -24

-36 = 5x (see how the 24's cancelled out)

Okay now divide both sides by 5

-36/5 = x (when you divide by 5 on both sides the right hand side has 5 over 5 or 5/5 which is one, so we don't have to write it in)

NOW if your original problem was just 3x-4=8x+3
then you can just follow the steps outlined above. First subtract 3x from both sides adn then subtract 3 from both sides. Try it. You should get -7/5 for an answer. Hope this helps! Good luck on your test! :)

Answer 3

You don't need to distribute anything the way you have it set up. Move the 3 from the right to the left side, so you get 3x-4-3=8x or 3x-7=8x. Now move the 3x to the right side, -7=8x-3x, or -7=5x. Now divide both sides by 5 to get x=-7/5

Answer 4

3x-4 = 8x+3
+4 +4

3x = 8x+7
-8x -8x

-5x=7
divide by five to both sides

answer: x= -7/5

Answer 5

lol
3x - 3*4 = 8x + 8*3
=> 3x - 12 = 8x +24
=> 5x = -36
=> x = -36 / 5 = -7.2

Answer 6

3x-4=8x+3
3x-3x-4=8x-3x+3
-4=5x+3
-3-4=5x+3-3
-7=5X
-7/5=5X/5
-1.4=X

I think this is the way it is done. I could be wrong. It has been years since I have tried to solve anything like this. I hope it helps

Answer 7

there is no distribution there....unless you meant 3(x-4)=8(x+3) in which case it would be 3x-12=8x+24, then you could subtract 24 from both sides and have 3x-36=8x, subtract 3x from both sides and get -36=5x, divide both sides by 5 and get x=-36/5

or if it really is just 3x-4=8x+3...subtract 3 from both sides and ge 3x-7=8x, subtract 3x from both sides and get -7=5x, divide both sided by 5 and get x=-7/5

Answer 8

3x-4=8x+3
3x-4+4=8x+3+4
3x=8x+7
3x-8x=8x-8x+7
-5x=7
-5x*(-1)=7*(-1)
5x=7
5x/5=7/5
x=7/5
x=1.4

Please contact me personally at [e-mail] if u need any help as I was a supplemetal instructor for algebra and college level math.

Answer 9

I got 7/5 as well.

Answer 10

3x-4=8x+3
-4-3=8x-3x
-7=5x
x=-7/5
x=-1.4