How do you solve an equation like 2(x – 3) = x + 4?
30 Answers By Expert Tutors
Hunter K. answered 07/30/25
Certified Math & Physics Teacher | 7th–12th Grade | 2+ Years Exp
To solve the equation, start by distributing the 2 on the left-hand side:
2(x − 3) = x + 4
2x − 6 = x + 4
Next, subtract x from both sides:
x − 6 = 4
Finally, add 6 to each side:
x = 10 (ANSWER)
Use the distributive property:
2(x-3)=x+4
2x-6=x+4
Subtract x from both sides:
x-6=4
Add 6 to both sides:
x=10
Answer: x=10
How do you solve an equation like 2(x – 3) = x + 4?
- First, you multiply 2 by (x-3) on the left side of the equation. Because of PEMDAS, you want to take care of the parentheses first.
- Once you completed step one, your equation should look like 2x - 6 = x + 4. Now you want to get the x's on one side since you are solving for x. So, then the equation would look like 2x - x - 6 = x - x + 4.
- After you complete step two, the equation should now look like x - 6 = 4. Now you want the constant's to be on one side. To do this, add 6 to both sides. Now the equation is x - 6 + 6 = 4 + 6.
- Now that the x's are on one side and the constant's are on another side, you now have x = 10 which is your answer. Note if there was a number in front of the x, then you would divide both sides by that number then that would be your answer.
2(x-3)=x+4 When solving an equation like this, we have to combine like terms, but we can't touch the terms within the parentheses while the 2 is still hanging out in front. Technically we have two choices here- we can divide both sides by 2, which would give us
x-3=(x/2)+2 However, this gives us a fraction to work with, and it's always better to chose the easiest way to solve a problem. So instead, we will distribute the 2 on the left side to the terms inside of the parentheses
2x-6=x+4 Distributing the 2 involves multiplying the (2 by the x)+ (2x-3), giving us (2x-6)
Now we combine like terms. First, lets subtract the x on the right side. This gives us
x-6=4
Now we can combine the numerical terms by adding 6 to both sides, which gives us
x=10
The steps to following this problem were:
1) Distribute the term on the outside of the parentheses
2) Combine like x terms
3) Combine like numerical terms
Christian W. answered 05/18/26
EE Honors Student with Strong Algebra Background
2(x-3) = x+4
To solve an equation like this, we start by distributing the 2 on the left side of the equation.
2x-6 = x+4
Next, we subtract x from both sides of the equation.
x-6 = 4
Finally, we add 6 to both sides of the equation and we should be left with
x=10.
As a general guideline to solving equations like this:
- Use the distributive property to remove parentheses
- Combine or move variable terms to one side
- Move constants to the other side
- Divide by the coefficient of x if needed
Inactive Tutor answered 05/05/26
To solve 2(x - 3) = x + 4, first use the Distrtbutive Property.
Step 1: Multiply 2 by everything inside the parentheses.
2(x - 3) = 2x - 6
Now the equation is:
2x - 6 = x + 4
Step 2: Move the x the one side by subtracting x from both sides.
x - 6 = 4
Step 3: Add 6 to both sides
x = 10
Answer is x = 10
(Whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other side to keep the equation balance)
Inactive Tutor answered 04/28/26
Mohammad N. answered 04/06/26
Experienced Math Professor 35 Years Teaching Algebra; Calculu
Just move the variables to one side and the constants to the other.
2(x -3) = x+ 4 ⇒
2x - 6 = x+ 4 ⇒
2x - x = 4 + 6 ⇒
x = 10 ⇒
X = 10
"Remember: the key to solving the equation above is that whenever you move a term (number or x) across the equals sign, its sign changes."
Inactive Tutor answered 03/17/26
Here's who to solve the equation:
2(x − 3) = x + 4
Step 1: Apply the Distributive Property
Multiply 2 by each term inside the parentheses.
2x − 6 = x + 4
Step 2: Combine Like Terms / Isolate the Variable Terms
Subtract x from both sides to bring all variable terms to one side of the equation.
2x − x − 6 = 4
Step 3: Simplify the Expression
Combine like terms.
x − 6 = 4
Step 4: Isolate the Variable
Add 6 to both sides of the equation.
x = 10
Step 5: Verify the Solution (Substitution Check)
Substitute x = 10 back into the original equation.
2(10 − 3) = 10 + 4
2(7) = 14
14 = 14
Since both sides are equal, the solution is verified.
Solution: x = 10
Inactive Tutor answered 03/11/26
Simple; apply the distributive property to simplify what's on the left-hand side of the equal sign (as we always want to try & get rid of parenthesis), and then, follow the rules of PEMDAS until x is isolated:
Our starting equation: 2(x - 3) = x + 4
After applying distributive property: 2x - 6 = x + 4
After subtracting x from both sides: x - 6 = 4
After adding 6 to both sides: x = 10
:)
Inactive Tutor answered 02/19/26
Step 1: Distribute
Multiply the 2 by everything inside the parentheses:
2 · x = 2x
2 · (–3) = –6
So the equation becomes: 2x – 6 = x + 4
Step 2: Get variables on one side
We can move the x from the right to the left so that it combines with the other x term. We can do this by using opposite operations. Since the x is positive, we will subtract it. Remember whatever you do on one side you will do to the other.
2x – 6 = x + 4
-x -x
This simplifies to:
x – 6 = 4
Step 3: Solve for x.
We need to isolate the x and we can do this by using opposite operations again. Since the 6 is negative, we can add 6 to both sides:
x – 6 = 4
+6 +6
So:
x = 10
Check your answer:
Plug 10 back in for x and simplify each side separately.
Left side: 2(10 – 3) = 2(7) = 14
Right side: 10 + 4 = 14
Both sides match!
Final Answer: x = 10
Step 1) Distribute and combine like terms:
2 can be distributed out
2(x - 3) --> 2x - 6
2x - 6 = x + 4
Step 2) Get X onto one side
Subtract x from both sides
2x - 6 = x + 4
-x -x
x - 6 = 4
Step 3) Remove any other terms
Add 6 on both sides
x - 6 = 4
+6 +6
x=10
Inactive Tutor answered 02/07/26
We want to get all of the X's on one side
First, remove the parentheses and distribute through the parentheses
2x - 6 = x + 4
Then move the X's to one side of the equation.
I'm going to move the variable to the left-hand side and change its sign
2x - 6 - x = 4
Then collect the like terms
2x - x = 4 + 6
Then simplify
x = 4 + 6
Therfore,
x = 10
Giovanni O. answered 02/06/26
Science (Biology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, TestPrep Help)
How do you solve an equation like 2(x – 3) = x + 4?
The most important rule about solving equations involving a variable is to isolate the variable on one side of the equal sign "=".
2(x-3) = x + 4
Let's say you want the x to be on the left side of the equation....
Since you have 1x (+x), you would need to subtract x from the right side of the equation. However to keep the equation balanced, whatever operation you do to one side of the equal sign, you must do to the other side.
2(x-3) = x +4
-x -x
And therefore you would have the following equation.
2(x-3) - x = 4
Now you need to apply the order of operations rule (PEMDAS / BEDMAS), and factor out what is in the brackets.
2(x-3) - x = 4. --> 2x - 6 - x = 4
Now you need to combine like-terms on the left side of the equation.
2x - 6 - x = 4. ------------>. x - 6 = 4.
Now you have x - 6 = 4. You want all the numbers on the same side of the equal sign, but want "x" isolated. so you would need to add 6 to the left side of the equation. Whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other.
x - 6 = 4
+6 +6
x = 10
Your final answer is x = 10.
I hope this helps.
Inactive Tutor answered 12/30/25
Great question! Understanding how to solve this equation will help you advance to solving more and more complex equations and advancing in mathematics. Let's have a quick look at what we're doing here.
First, ask yourself: What does the equation ask you to solve for? In this case, we want to know the value of x.
Next, let's look at the strategy for finding the value of x. We want to get the x values on one side of the equation (on one side of the equals sign) and the digits on the other.
- Step one: Perform the multiplication on the left side of the equation.
- 2(x-3) = x + 4 → 2x - 6 = x + 4
- Step two: Get the x values on one side of the equation. The most logical way to do this? Subtract x from the right side of the equation and the left side. This works because it removes the x from the right side and leaves x on the left side.
- 2x - 6 = x + 4
-x. -x
x - 6 = 0 + 4
x - 6 = 4
- Step three: Add 6 to both sides of the equation. This will remove the 6 from the left side and put all the digits on the right.
- x - 6 = 4
+6. +6
x + 0 = 10
x = 10
- Step four: Check your work. We now have an answer, x = 10, but it's important to make sure that the answer is correct. To check your work, substitute t
- 2(x-3) = x + 4 → 2 (10-3) = 10 + 4
→ 2 (7) = 14
→ 14 = 14 ✓
Now that you understand what the question is asking and how to solve the equation, try applying this method to other, similar equations. Congratulations, and good luck!
Inactive Tutor answered 11/20/25
Solving Linear Equations
Example : 2(x – 3) = x + 4
This is called a linear equation, to solve a linear equation we'll follow these steps!
- Following PEMDAS we'll start by distributing, the 2 to both values in the parenthesis.
2(x – 3) : First 2 • X = 2x : Second 2•3 = 6 : after distribution the equation looks like this :
2x – 6 = x + 4
- Now we have to Isolate the variable (x).
2x – 6 = x + 4 : We're going to add six to each side.
2x – 6 = x + 4
+ 6 + 6
This cancels out the six on the left side of the equation and brings us to : 2x = x + 10
- Now we have to continue to isolate the variable. To do so we will subtract x from each side.
2x = x + 10
– x – x
This brings us to
x = 10
- Check our work: To do this we will plug the value of x (10) into the original equation.
2 • 10 = 10 + 10
20 = 20 : This statement is true, so the answer (10) is correct
All together :
2(x – 3) = x + 4
2 • x – 3 • 2 = x + 4
2x - 6 = x + 4 = 2x = x + 10
+ 6 + 6
2x = x + 10
–x –x
x = 10
Thanks for posting the question, I'm glad to help!
Inactive Tutor answered 11/19/25
Left side Right side
2(x – 3) x + 4
| |
| |
[ weight ] ================== [ weight ]
(same weight on both sides)
Step 1: Expand (remove parentheses)
2(x – 3) = 2 * x and 2 * -3 = 2x – 6
2x – 6 = x + 4
Step 2: Move x’s to one side
Subtract x from both sides:
2x – 6 – x = x + 4 – x
x – 6 = 4
Step 3: Get x alone
Add 6 to both sides:
x – 6 + 6 = 4 + 6
Answer will be:
x = 10
Inactive Tutor answered 11/12/25
Given equation: 2(x – 3) = x + 4
Step 1: Distribute the 2 Multiply 2 by everything inside the parentheses:
- 2(x – 3) = 2x – 6
So now the equation is: 2x – 6 = x + 4
Step 2: Get all x terms on one side Subtract x from both sides:
- 2x – x – 6 = x – x + 4
- x – 6 = 4
Step 3: Isolate x Add 6 to both sides:
- x – 6 + 6 = 4 + 6
- x = 10
Step 4: Check your answer Plug x = 10 back into the original equation:
- Left side: 2(10 – 3) = 2(7) = 14
- Right side: 10 + 4 = 14 ✓ (Hence proved)
Answer: x = 10
Dayaan M. answered 11/07/25
Algebra 1 Honors EOC Score 4/5 – Strong Foundation, Now Helping Others
In order to solve an equation like 2(x - 3) = x + 4, we can start by simplifying the left side by using the distribution property to multiply 2 by x and by -3 so it becomes:
2x - 6 = x + 4
We can combine like terms. If you notice, 2x and x are like terms since they both have x raised to the power of 1 and -6 and 4 are like terms since they are constant numbers. To combine them, we need to move them on to one side. So, let combine the x's by subtracting x on both sides so it becomes:
2x - x - 6 = 4
x - 6 = 4
Remember, our purpose is to solve for x and in order to solve for x, we have to isolate x on one side. So, to isolate x, we can now add 6 on both sides which will give us:
x = 4 + 6
x = 10
So, our final answer is x = 10.
Anthony Q. answered 10/21/25
Experienced Masters Alumnus Specializing in Mathematics (20+ yrs)
2 (x - 3) = x + 4
- Whenever we have just parentheses, we multiply and distribute what is on the outside to the inside:
- 2 (x - 3) = 2x - 6
- Now we have the new equation 2x - 6 = x + 4. We can now proceed to solve this.
- 2x - 6 = x + 4
- Add six to both sides
- 2x = x + 10
- Subtract x from both sides
- x = 10
- Plug back in to verify
- 2x - 6 = x + 4
- 2(10) - 6 = (10) + 4
- 20 - 6 = 10 + 4
- 14 = 14
- 14 = 14
Final Answer: x = 10
James V. answered 10/14/25
Patient & Clear Algebra 1 Tutor | Harvard & Yale Grad, 35+ Yrs Exp.
I'll walk you through solving this step by step.
Given equation: 2(x – 3) = x + 4
Step 1: Distribute the 2 Multiply 2 by everything inside the parentheses:
- 2(x – 3) = 2x – 6
So now the equation is: 2x – 6 = x + 4
Step 2: Get all x terms on one side Subtract x from both sides:
- 2x – x – 6 = x – x + 4
- x – 6 = 4
Step 3: Isolate x Add 6 to both sides:
- x – 6 + 6 = 4 + 6
- x = 10
Step 4: Check your answer Plug x = 10 back into the original equation:
- Left side: 2(10 – 3) = 2(7) = 14
- Right side: 10 + 4 = 14 ✓
Answer: x = 10
The key steps for equations like this are: distribute any parentheses, collect like terms on each side, get all variables on one side and constants on the other, then isolate the variable.
Kara Z. answered 10/12/25
Master's in Chemical Engineering with 15+ Years Tutoring Experience
To solve this equation, we can start by distributing the 2 on the left hand side. This means we are going to multiply each term inside the parentheses separated by addition or subtraction by 2.
2 ( x - 3) = x +4
2x - 6 = x +4
Now we want to combine like terms. We can do this by subtracting the x over to the left side of the equation and adding the 6 over to the right side of the equation.
2x - 6 - x = 4
x - 6 = 4
x = 4 + 6
x =10
We're done when we have x on one side of the equal sign by itself, so our final answer is x =10.
Inactive Tutor answered 09/17/25
Problem:
Solve 2(x-3) = x+4
Expand the parentheses:
2(x-3) = 2x-6
So the equation becomes:
2x-6 = x+4
Get all x-terms on one side:
Subtract x from both sides
2x-x-6 = 4
x-6 = 4
Solve for x
Add 6 to both sides
x = 4+6
x = 10
Check your answer
Plug back into the original equation
2(10-3) = 10+4
2(7) = 14
14 = 14
Final answer:
x = 10
Inactive Tutor answered 08/28/25
2(x-3) = x +4
expand left side, distribute the 2 amongst the x and -3 to get
2x-3(2) = 2x -6 = x+4
add 6 -x to both sides to get
x = 4+6
x =-10
check the answers
2(10-3) = 2(10)-6
2(7) = 20-6
14 = 14 It works
Inactive Tutor answered 08/18/25
There are technically two ways to solve.
Forward:
2(x - 3) = x + 4 Simplify
2x - 6 = x + 4 Get like terms on opposite sides of the equal sign
2x - 6 + 6 - x = x + 4 - x + 6 Positve and negatives cancel out
2x - x = 4 + 6 Simplify
x = 10
Backward:
2(x - 3) = x + 4 Divide both sides by 2
2(x - 3) /2 = (x + 4) /2
(x - 3) = x /2 + 4 / 2 Simplify
x - 3 = 1/2x + 2 Get like terms on opposite sides of the equal sign
x - 3 + 3 - 1/2x = 1/2x + 2 -1/2x + 3 Simplify
x - 1/2x = 2 + 3 Simplify
1/2x = 5 Multiply both sides by 2
2 * 1/2x = 5 * 2 Simplify
x = 10
Both methods will get you to the same answer, but one may be faster and easier than the other, depending on the equation itself.
One method does the Order of Operations forwards, the other goes backwards. One may be preferred over the other, depending on which way you like best or which way is best suited for the equation.
Inactive Tutor answered 08/14/25
2(x – 3) = x + 4
To solve this equation we need to first do the distributive property to get rid of the parentheses.
2(x - 3) --> 2 *x = 2x and 2 * 3 = 6 so 2(x-3) = 2x - 6
Our equation is now 2x - 6 = x + 4
Now we need to get the x terms on one side of the equal sign and constants (terms without variables) on the other side. To do this, I can I will subtract the x from both sides so it is no longer on the right side. 2x - x = x and x - x = 0
Our equation is now x - 6 = 4
The last step is to "move" the -6 to the other side so I am going to add 6 to both sides. I am adding because the operation in the equation is subtraction so I need to perform the opposite (inverse) operation to cancel it out. -6 + 6= 0 and 4 + 6=10
Final Answer: x = 10
Hello, thank you for taking the time to post your question!
In order to solve an equation like this you want to follow the order of operations and combine like terms! So in this case that would mean distributing the 2 to begin with, then getting the x terms on one side:
2(x - 3) = x + 4
2x – 6 = x + 4
x = 10
I hope that helps get you moving in the right direction! Feel free to reach out if you still have questions beyond that :)
Inactive Tutor answered 08/02/25
Hi!
To solve this equation, you essentially want to:
1) distribute the 2 on the left hand side of the equation.
2(x-3) -> 2x-6
2) isolate one of the variables, moving it to the right hand side.
2x-6 = x+4 -> 2x= x+4+6 -> 2x= x +10
3) isolate the x's on the left hand side
2x = x+10 -> 2x-x = 10 -> x=10
Thus, your answer is x=10.
Key to finding the solution is that you must isolate x to the left side of the equation (the traditional approach). Doing this can generally be done in multiple ways. One way is not necessarily better than another way. Having this understanding keeps yo focussed on what the steps might be for any given problem.
Inactive Tutor answered 07/30/25
An alternate way to solve this equation is to start by diving both sides by 2:
1) Equation: 2(x-3) = x+4
2) Divide both sides by 2: x-3 = 1/2x +2
3) Subtract 1/2x from both sides: 1/2x - 3 = 2
4) Add 3 to both sides: 1/2x = 5
5) Multiply both sides by 2: x = 10
6) SOLUTION: x = 10
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Inactive Tutor
First you would want to distribute the 2 on the left side to both terms inside of the parenthesis. Making it: 2x-6=x+4 Then subtract the x from the right side over to the left side of the equation. Now making the equation: 2x-6-x=4 Then you would want to add the 6 from the left side over to the right side. Making it: 2x-x=4+6 Finally you combine the like terms and add/subtract them together. Leaving you with: x=1006/19/26