(x+3)/2+3=7
The 3s cancel out so you have:
x/2=7
multiply both sides of the equation by 2
x=14
The other answer is incorrect.
(x+3)/2 +3 = 7
Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation
(x+3)/2 + 3 - 3 = 7 - 3
You end up with
(x+3) / 2 = 4
Then multiply by two
(x+3) / 2 * 2 = 4 * 2
you end up with
(x+3) = 8
Then subtract 3 again
x + 3 - 3 = 8 - 3
You get
x=5
The threes don't cancel. One, the threes have to be both positive and negative. In this case, they're both positive. Second, the three by the x is locked to that x by its parentheses and the fact it is in a division with the x. Basically, you could split the x and the three to get x/2 + 3/2. That does not cancel with another + 3. The best way to solve equations like these is to take care of the easy add or subtracts, then take care of the multiply and divides, then get x by itself.
