document.write( "Question 698253: This is on my son's homework and I keep getting an answer that doesn't make sense. 21(2-x)+12x = 44\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "When I distribute, I get 42-21x +12x = 44
\n" ); document.write( "Then, -21x+12x=2
\n" ); document.write( "-9x=2
\n" ); document.write( "x=-.2222\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "What are we doing wrong?
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Algebra.Com's Answer #430549 by jim_thompson5910(35256)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
\"21%282-x%29%2B12x=44\" Start with the given equation.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"42-21x%2B12x=44\" Distribute.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-9x%2B42=44\" Combine like terms on the left side.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-9x=44-42\" Subtract \"42\" from both sides.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-9x=2\" Combine like terms on the right side.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"x=%282%29%2F%28-9%29\" Divide both sides by \"-9\" to isolate \"x\".\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"x=-2%2F9\" Reduce.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Answer:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So the solution is \"x=-2%2F9\" \r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Since -0.22222... is equivalent to \"-2%2F9\", you have the correct answer.
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