How do you solve #8x = 2( x + 15)#?

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(2)# to eliminate the need for parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

#(8x)/color(red)(2) = (2(x + 15))/color(red)(2)#

#4x = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))(x + 15))/cancel(color(red)(2))#

#4x = x + 15#

Next, substract #color(red)(x)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-color(red)(x) + 4x = -color(red)(x) + x + 15#

#-color(red)(1x) + 4x = 0 + 15#

#(-color(red)(1) + 4)x = 15#

#3x = 15#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(3)# to solve or #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(3x)/color(red)(3) = 15/color(red)(3)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = 5#

#x = 5#