For example-

14x -3(3x-6) -> 14x + (-3)(3x) + (-3)(-6)

-> 14x -9x + 18

-> 5x + 18

21 – x + 37 -> 21 + 37 – x

-> 58 -x

5x + 18 = 58 -x Add x to both sides

6x + 18 = 58 Isolate x by getting rid of the 18

6x = 58 – 18 -> 6x = 40

x = 40 /6, or 6 and 4/6

Now, try the second one yourself! Drop me a line if you REALLY need help.

14x-9x+18=58-x parenthesis and add 21 and 37

5x+18=58-x add 14x and -9

-18 -18 move the 18 to the other side

5x=40-x move the -x to the other side

+x +x

6x=40

6x/6=40/6 divide both sides by 6

x=6 2/3

2. 5x+18=1/2(56-12x)+26-7x

5x+18=28-6x+26-7x multiply 1/2 by everything in

5x+18=54-13x add like terms

+13x +13x move -13 to the other side

18x+18=54

-18 -18 move -18 to the other side

18x=36

18x/18=36/18 divide both sides by 18

x=2

14x-9x+16=21-x+37

6x=42

x=7

the second one

5x+18=28-6x+26+-7x

5x+18=54-13x

18x=36

x=2

Combine like terms

Isolate the variable (whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other)

14x-9x+18-=21-x+37

5x+18=58-x

6x+18=58

6x=40

x=40/6

x=20/3

x=6.666667

5x+18=.5(56-12x)+26

5x+18=28-6x+26-7x

5x+18=54-13x

18x+18=54

18x=36

x=2