......- 12....-12
___________
2x = -32
ok, that's better. but that x, he's still got someone covering for him,
yes, 2, i'm looking at you. unhand that x!
so let's see here....how do we "un-double"? oh, i know this one...we halve!
(i have a special cleaver i keep on hand for this, i call it "divide by 2").
(2x)/2 = -32/2.
and as anyone who has ever dated twins can tell you, half of a double is a single.
in math-talk, this means: (2x)/2 is...yes! x in disguise!!!!
so...(2x)/2 = x (gotcha, you shifty x!)...that's the left side.
but what...what is it EQUAL to? oh, yeah, we still have that other side to fix up.
-32/2 = -16 (yes, it's hard to count up to 32 by 2's...but i did it. yes, i'm awesome).
so....x = -16....ta da!!!!!
hmm...do you suppose i might have made a boo-boo? well, i'm a bit paranoid
every since the cavity search on my last airline trip so...let's just check this out.
if, x = -16, does that work in our original equation?
6(-16+2) = ???? 4(-16-5)......computing.......
-96 + 12 = ???? -64 - 20 ...i'm the operator with my pocket calculator.....
-84 = ???? -84 .....yes! yes! sweet mother of pearl yes!!!!!