We solve this equation by isolating x. We first go about subtracting 4 from both sides 2(x + 1) + 4 = 8 2(x + 1) + 4-4 = 8-4 2(x+1) = 4 We divide both sides of the equation by 2 so that the 2 over the parentheses cancels out to become a 1. 2(x+1) = 4 2(x+1)/2 = 4/2 x+1 = 2 Subtract 1 from both sides x = 1 The answer is x = 1 as that is the value that will make the equation true. If you substitute x = 1 in for x, you will get 2(1 + 1) + 4 = 8 2(2) + 4 = 8 4 + 4 = 8 8= 8 and that is a true equation.
