Question

① 3x - 6(2x + 8) = -20

Explanation:

Step1: Expand the left - hand side

Using the distributive property \(a(b + c)=ab+ac\), for \(3x-6(2x + 8)\), we have:
\(3x-6\times2x-6\times8=3x - 12x-48\)

Step2: Combine like terms

Combine the \(x\) - terms: \(3x-12x=- 9x\), so the equation becomes \(-9x - 48=-20\)

Step3: Add 48 to both sides

\(-9x-48 + 48=-20 + 48\), which simplifies to \(-9x = 28\)

Step4: Solve for x

Divide both sides by \(-9\): \(x=\frac{28}{-9}=-\frac{28}{9}\)

Answer:

\(x = -\frac{28}{9}\)