In a football tournament, the Bees scored 9 less than three times as many points as the Hornets. The Wasps scored 28 more points than the Hornets. Together the three teams scored 184 points. Let x represent the number of points scored by the Hornets. Complete the steps to solve the equation (3x – 9) + x + (x + 28) = 184. Then answer the question. 1. Combine like terms.
2. Use the subtraction property of equality.
3. Use the division property of equality.
4. Use the variable to answer the question.

How many points did the Bees score?

(3x – 9) + x + (x + 28) = 184

1) 5x + 19 = 184

2) 5x = 165

3) x = 33

4) 3x-9 = 3(33)-9 = 99-9 = 90 points

x= 33

Step-by-step liminate redundant parentheses

Step 2: Add the numbers

Step 3: Combine like terms

starting with:    

5 + x - 12 = 2x - 7   

5 + x - 12 - x = 2x - 7 - x (subtract x from both sides)   

5 - 12 = x - 7 (combine and cancel x's from both sides)   

5 - 12 + 7 = x - 7 + 7 (add 7 to both sides)   

0 = x (add numbers together on both sides)       

so in order for the equation to be true, x must be 0.   

trying x = -0.5   

5 + x - 12 = 2x - 7 (original equation)   

5 + -0.5 - 12 = 2(-0.5) - 7 (plug in value of x)   

5 + -0.5 - 12 = -1 - 7 (did multiplication)   

-7.5 = -8 (did addition on both sides)       

since -7.5 is obviously not equal to -8, the value of -0.5 for x is wrong.   

trying x = 0   

5 + x - 12 = 2x - 7 (original equation)   

5 + 0 - 12 = 2(0) - 7 (plug in value of x)   

5 + 0 - 12 = 0 - 7 (did multiplication)   

-7 = -7 (did addition on both sides)       

since -7 equals -7, that demonstrates that the value of 0 for x is correct.   

trying x = 1   

5 + x - 12 = 2x - 7 (original equation)   

5 + 1 - 12 = 2(1) - 7 (plug in value of x)   

5 + 1 - 12 = 2 - 7 (did multiplication)   

-6 = -5 (did addition on both sides)       

since -6 is obviously not equal to -5, the value of 1 for x is wrong.