Chapter 1 - Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities - 1-4 Solving Equations - Practice and Problem-Solving Exercises - Page 31: 41

x = 1.5

Our goal is to isolate x. To accomplish this we will first distribute: 0.2(x + 3)-4(2x - 3) = 0.9 0.2x + 0.6 - 8x + 12 = 0.9 We will then combine like terms: 0.2x + 0.6 - 8x + 12 = 0.9 -7.8x + 12.6 = 0.9 Next, we'll subtract 12.6 from both sides and then divide both sides by -7.8: -7.8x + 12.6 = 0.9 -7.8x = -11.7 x = -11.7 / -7.8 x = 1.5