Answer:
x = 2
Step-by-step explanation:
One way to do this is to "peel the onion," reversing the operations done to the variable.
3(x +4) -2 = 16 . . . . given
3(x +4) = 18 . . . . . add 2
x +4 = 6 . . . . . . . divide by 3
x = 2 . . . . . . . . . subtract 4
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Additional comment
Another approach, usually recommended, is to simplify the equation by eliminating parentheses and collecting terms as the first step.
3x +12 -2 = 16
3x +10 = 16
Then you would solve this 2-step equation by subtracting 10, then dividing by 3.
3x = 6 . . . . subtract 10
x = 2 . . . . . divide by 3
You may have noticed that it is 3 steps either way.
