My name is Art. I have a grade 11 advanced algebra question.

30+7(x-1)=3(2x+7)
I know with the distributive law I multiply 7 by x and 7 by -1 and the same thing to the right, only 3 by 2 and 7 than I am lost? Thanks

Hi Art,

Using the distributive law as you describe I get

30+7(x-1)=3(2x+7) so
30 + 7x - 7 = 6x + 21

At this point I see two types of terms, those that involve x and those that don't involve x. On each side of the equation collect the terms that involve x and the terms that don't involve x. I get

30 + 7x - 7 = 6x + 21 so
30 -7 + 7x = 6x + 21 and thus
23 + 7x = 6x + 21

At this point I would collect all the terms that involve x on one side of the equation and all the terms that don't involve x on the other side, To do this first add -6x to both sides.

23 + 7x = 6x + 21 and hence
23 + 7x -6x = 6x + 21 -6x and thus
23 + x = 21

Finally add -23 to each side to get

23 + x - 23 = 21 - 23 and hence
x = -2

I hope this helps,
Penny