SOLUTION: I am really stuggling in Elementary and Intermediate Algebra. Math does not come very easily for me. I am stuck on equations and the distributive problems. I just dont understand w

Algebra ->  Distributive-associative-commutative-properties -> SOLUTION: I am really stuggling in Elementary and Intermediate Algebra. Math does not come very easily for me. I am stuck on equations and the distributive problems. I just dont understand w      Log On


   

Question 520539: I am really stuggling in Elementary and Intermediate Algebra. Math does not come very easily for me. I am stuck on equations and the distributive problems. I just dont understand why a problem like this.......
-2%283n-2%29=2. I dont understand why the negative two that is in parenethis will change to positve. I just dont get understand the concept. Do you have any recommendations on how to apply this information and to help me understand math a little better. I am tring to learn as I go and I am not having much luck. Please if you have any information I would greatly appreciate it.
tfrey1@windstream.net
Found 2 solutions by scott8148, jam123:
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
distributing the -2 outside the parentheses means multiplying it by each term inside

terms are separated by + or - signs

-2 times the term 3n is -6n

-2 times the term -2 is +4

-6n + 4 = 2

Answer by jam123(18) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We have to simplify first:
-2%283n-2%29=2
-2+%2A+-2+=+4
-2+%2A+3n+=+-6n
so
-6n+%2B+4+=+2
and
-6n+=+2+-+4+=+-2
-6n+=+-2
division to both sides
3n+=+1
so
n+=+1%2F3