Solve 2(x + 3) = 16

Question

Students often get stuck when equations have parentheses and require distributing. What steps should they follow, and what mistakes should they avoid?

Answer 1

first you want to distribute the 2 to both terms inside the parentheses

2(x + 3) = 16

2x + 6 = 16

then subtract 6 from both sides to combine like terms

2x = 10

then divide both sides by 2

x = 5

Answer 2

Solve: 2(x + 3) = 16.

Before we attempt to solve this equation for x, let's start with a preliminary concept: simplifying an expression.

3(2+6) + 5.

The approach begins with combining like terms inside the parentheses. Applying this concept, we have:.

3(8) + 5. Further we have 24+5 = 29.

Let's look at our problem. It's clear that we can't combine the x and the 3. Let's approach the above example by multiplying 3 by all of the terms inside the parentheses. This is called distribution. Let's perform the operations.

3*2+3*6 = 24. Combining 24 with gives the 29 result.

In our problem, we have 2*x + 2*3 = 16. Or 2x +6=16.

Remembering that you may add or subtract the same quantity from both sides of the equation without changing the equation, let's subtract 2*3=6 from both sides of the equation. We have the following: 2x+6-6=16-6. Or 2x=10.

Remembering that performing the same operation to both sides of an equation doesn't change the equation, let's divide both sides of the equation by 2. 2x/2=10/2 or x = 5.

Answer 3

Whenever there are parentheses, the goal is to use the distributive property to expand the function so that there are no () left. After that, you want to isolate and solve for x. This second step often involves addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

2(x+3) = 16 Distribute the 2 to the terms inside the ()

2x+ 6 = 16 Subract the 6 (constant term)

2x = 10 Divide by 2

x = 5 Final Answer!

Answer 4

Step 1: Distribute the 2

2 * (x + 3) = 16

which gives,

2x + 6 = 16

Step 2: Subtract the 6 from both sides of the equation (this number is also referred to as the constant)

2x + 6 - 6 = 16 - 6

which gives,

2x = 10

Step 3: Divide 2 from both sides of the equation

2x / 2 = 10 / 2

which leads to,

x = 5

Answer: x = 5

Answer 5

2(x+3) = 2x +2(3) = 2x +6

Answer 6

When you see parentheses, your first step is usually to distribute the number outside the parentheses to everything inside. Let’s walk through it step-by-step:

1) Distribute the 2:

2 × (x + 3) = 2x + 6

So the equation becomes:

2x + 6 = 16

2) Subtract 6 from both sides to get rid of the constant:

2x = 10

3) Divide by 2 to get x alone:

1. x = 5

✅ Final Answer: x = 5

🧠 Tip: Always do the reverse of the operations being applied to the variable, and work step-by-step. Neatness counts!