Short Answer
The solution involves distributing the equation, simplifying by combining like terms, and isolating x to find its value. The closest option to the resulting value of x = 3.5 is D. 5.
Step 1: Distribute and Rearrange the Equation
Begin by distributing the number 2 across the terms in the parentheses on the right side of the equation, transforming it to 2(x + 5) = 2x + 10. This means bringing the equation to a better workable form, resulting in:
- Original Equation: 6x – 4 = 2(x + 5)
- After Distribution: 6x – 4 = 2x + 10
Step 2: Combine Like Terms
Next, simplify the equation by moving all x terms to one side. This is done by subtracting 2x from both sides, leading to:
- Modified Equation: 6x – 2x = 10 + 4
- Simplified Version: 4x = 14
Step 3: Solve for x and Find Closest Value
Now, divide both sides of the equation by 4 to isolate x, which gives:
- Value of x: x = 14/4
- Simplified Result: x = 3.5
Finally, the closest value to 3.5 from the given options (A. 1, B. 2, C. 3, D. 5) is D. 5.