SOLUTION: What is the answer to 2[(-3)(-1-5)]=72 ? i tried working it out but i get mixed up with the steps.

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: What is the answer to 2[(-3)(-1-5)]=72 ? i tried working it out but i get mixed up with the steps.      Log On


   

Question 203975This question is from textbook Algebra 2 With Trigonometry
: What is the answer to 2[(-3)(-1-5)]=72 ? i tried working it out but i get mixed up with the steps. This question is from textbook Algebra 2 With Trigonometry

Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, Theo:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
2[(-3)(-1-5)]=72 ?
Are you asking is they're equal?
2[(-3)*(-6)] = 72 ?
2[18] = 72 ?
36 = 72 ? No, it doesn't.

Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
looks like your equation is 2%2A%28%28-3%29%2A%28-1-5%29%29=72
i don't see any unknowns in there, like x or y or whatever.
not sure what you have.
if i solve this as shown i get
(-1-5) = (-6)
(-3)*(-6) = (18)
2*(18) = 36
36 = 72
which is not a true statement.
-----
is there supposed to be an x in there somewhere?
could it be the -1 should really be a -x
if so, then your equation could be rewritten as
2%2A%28%28-3%29%2A%28-x-5%29%29=72
you work from the inner parentheses out to the outer parentheses.
(-3)*(-x-5) = (-3)*(-x) - (-3)*(5)
this becomes (3x +15)
2 * (3x+15) becomes 6x + 30
your equation becomes 6x + 30 = 72
subtract 30 from both sides and divide both sides by 6 to get
x = 42/6 = 7
-----
if we put that in the original equation we get
2%2A%28%28-3%29%2A%28-x-5%29%29=72
becomes 2%2A%28%28-3%29%2A%28-7-5%29%29=72
becomes 2%2A%28%28-3%29%2A%28-12%29%29=72
becomes 2%2A%2836%29=72
becomes 72=72
which is true
-----
your answer in this case would be x = 7
IF your equations was as I thought it might be.
if your equation is different than you would get a different answer.
check you problem to see if you got it right.