Solving Equations with Brackets or Fractions

Single Bracket

• Solve 3(x + 4) = 24

• 3x + 12 = 24

• 3x + 12 – 12 = 24 -12

• 3x = 12

• x = 4

• Multiply brackets out

• Subtract 12 from each side

• Divide 3 into 12

More than one bracket

• Solve 5(2x + 1) = 4(x – 2) + 10

• Multiply brackets out

• 10x + 5 = 4x – 8 + 10

• Subtract 5 from each side

• 10x + 5 – 5 = 4x – 8 + 10 – 5

• This gives 10x = 4x – 3

• Subtract 4x from each side

More than one bracket

• This gives 6x = -3

• Divide -3 by 6

• x = 2

1

Fractions

• (x + 2) = 4

• 2(x + 2) = 12

• 2x + 4 = 12• 2x + 4 – 4 = 12 – 4

• 2x = 8 • x = 4

• Mutiply both sides by 3 to give

• Multiply brackets out• Subtract 4 from each

side• Divide both sides by 2

3

2