I'll help you with a few to give you an idea of to solve both types of problems.
For problems 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, you just have to distribute the number outside of the parentheses to each of the numbers inside it, like so:
1.
8(x + 6) = -64 Given
8x + 48 = -64 Multiply the 8 by both x and 6 to get rid of the parentheses
8x + 48 = -64
- 48 -48 Subtract 48 from both sides to cancel it out from the left
8x = -112
x = -14 Divide both sides by 8 to isolate x
3.
3(4 - 2y) = -15
12 - 6y = -15
-6y = -27
y = 4.5
Repeat this process to solve problems 5, 7, and 9.
For problems 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, you need to combine like variable terms, like so:
2.
8w - 3w + 6 = 41 Given
5w + 6 = 41 Subtract 3w from 8w
5w = 35 Subtract 6 from both sides to cancel it out
w = 7 Divide both sides by 5
4.
9x + 3 + x = -77 Given
10x + 3 = -77 Add 9x and x
10x = -80 Subtract 3 from both sides
x = -8 Divide both sides by 10
Combining like variable terms is exactly like regular addition and subtraction, except there is a variable attached to the numbers; don't let it confuse you! The other important thing to remember when solving these equations is that, when you perform a calculation, you must do it to both sides of the equation, always.
Hope this helps!
