how do you do this?

Start with multiplying your numbers outside the parenthesis, multiply into parenthesis: 3(x+6)=5(x-4) 3x+18=5x-20 step 2 is to start eliminating stuff to get the variables on the same side..remember that what you do on one side you must do to the other: 3x+18=5x-20 +20 +20 the 20 on the right cancels out, 18+20=38. now the equation looks like this: 3x+38=5x subtract 3x from both sides. 3x+38=5x -3x -3x the -3x on the left cancels out: 38=2x divide by 2 on both sides, because the goal is to get the variable (x) by itself: 38=2x %2 %2 the 2 on the right canceles out, leaving you with: 38%2=x 19=x.

you use the distributive property.. that would but 3x+ (3*6) = 18 then you would say 3x=18 divide by 3 on each side.. you would get x=6... then do the same for the other side of the equation.. 5x-20... divide by 5 on each side .. you would get..x=-4. thats all i know for sure...