Strategy for Solving Algebraic Equations:

1. Use the distributive property to remove parentheses:  

        3(x - 2) + 5x = 18 becomes 3x - 6 + 5x = 18

2.  Combine like terms on either side of the equation.  3x and 5x are like terms   8x - 6 = 18

3.  Use the addition or subtraction properties of equality to get the variables on one side of the = symbol and the constant terms on the other.

4. Continue to combine like terms whenever possible.

             6 and 21 are like terms.  Since 6 is subtracted from 8x, add 6 to both sides to move it to the other side.

             8x - 6 + 6 = 18 + 6

             8x = 24

5.  Undo the operations of multiplication and division to isolate the variable.

            Divide both sides by 8 to get x by itself.

            8x/8  = 24/8

                x = 3

6.  Check the results by substituting your found value for x into the original equation.

        3(x -2) + 5x = 18

        3(3-2) + 5(3)  = 18 ?

        3(1) + 5(3) = 3 + 15 = 18  ?  Yes. So x = 3 is the solution to the equation.