Solving A Linear Equation W/Several Occurences of the Variab

I really need help bad! I am working on ALEKS and I'm not able to finish "MyPie" because I cannot solve any of the equations. I understand the basic concept, but I get confused as to when to add/subtract or when to make a number negative/positive. Here is an example: 6(x-2)=4x+4-6(2x+1)
This is how I attempted to solve it: 6x-12=4x+4-12x-6
6x-12=-8+2
6x-8x=12-2
-2x=10
x=14/-2=7/-1
I know this is wrong because ALEKS allows me to click on "explain" and it will show me the steps and the answer, but it doesn't explain why it makes a number positive or negative or when to add/subtract.

Thank You.

ondverg said:

Here is an example: 6(x-2)=4x+4-6(2x+1)
This is how I attempted to solve it: 6x-12=4x+4-12x-6
6x-12=-8+2 ...........................6x - 12 = -8x - 2

Click to expand...

Looks like simple carelessness :wink:

6(x-2)=4x+4-6(2x+1)
This is how I attempted to solve it:
6x-12=4x+4-12x-6 <<< Good
6x-12=-8+2 <<< Not so good. You left off x in -8x. Otherwise, good. Should be...
6x-12=-8x+2 <<< Now, to get rid of the -8x add 8x to both sides of the equation. To get rid of -12, add 12 to both sides.

6x-8x=12-2 <<< Should be +8x and +2 producing 14x = 14. This leads to x=1 (divided both sides by 14).


-2x=10 If you arrived at this equation, divide both sides by whatever is necessary to produce one x. (This way)
\(\displaystyle \frac{-2x}{-2}=\frac{10}{-2}\) <<< This leads to x=-5.
x=14/-2=7/-1 <<<Where did you get the 14???