9(x - 4) - 8x = x - 1 Remove the parentheses by the distributive property. That means to multiply the 9 times both the x and the -4. When we multiply the 9 by the x we get 9x. When we multiply the 9 by the -4 we get -35 9x - 36 - 8x = x - 1 Now combine the 9x with the -8x and get 1x or just x on the left: x - 36 = x - 1 Now to get rid of the x on the right, we subtract x from both sides: x - 36 = x - 1 -x -x --------------------- -36 = -1 That is a FALSE numerical equation (no variables). Therefore there is no solution. This kind of equation is called a CONTRADICTION. (Note: Sometimes you end up with a TRUE numerical equation (no variables. An example of that is: 5(x + 4) - 2x = 20 + 3x Remove the parentheses by the distributive property. That means to multiply the 5 times both the x and the 4. When we multiply the 5 by the x we get 5x. When we multiply the 5 by the 4 we get 20 5x + 20 - 2x = 20 + 3x Now combine the 5x with the -2x and get 3x: 3x + 20 = 20 + 3x Now to get rid of the 3x on the right, we subtract 3x from both sides: 3x + 20 = 20 + 3x -3x -3x --------------------- 20 = 20 That is a TRUE numerical equation (no variables). Therefore there are MANY solutions. In fact, every number in the world is a solution to it! This kind of equation is called an IDENTITY. Edwin