Question 49235
<pre><font size = 5><b>4x + 2 = 10

There are two terms on the left, +4x and +2, 
and 1 term on the right, +10.

The 4x term contains a variable and is on the left

The +2 term does not contain a variable and is 
on the left

The 10 term does not contain a variable and is 
on the right.

The idea is to 

1. Get rid of any term on the left that DOES NOT contain
a variable.

2. Get rid of any term on the right that DOES contain
a variable.

To get rid of a term, add its oppose to both sides:

We only need to get rid of the +2 term of

4x + 2 = 10

We do that by adding -2 to both sides

4x + 2 = 10
    -2   -2
-----------
4x + 0 =  8
    4x =  8

Now we must get rid of the coefficient 4. To
get rid of a coefficient, divide both sides
by it:

    4x     8
   ---- = ---
     4     4


Cancel the 4's on the left and the 4 into the
8 on the right:

    1      2
    <s>4</s>x     <s>8</s>
   ---- = ---
     <s>4</s>     <s>4</s>
     1     1

      x = 2

To check:

  4x + 2 = 10

substitute (2) for x:

4(2) + 2 = 10
   8 + 2 = 10
      10 = 10

That has the same number on both sides, so the
answer, x = 2, is right.

Edwin</pre></font></b>