Solve for X: Finding Daily Rate in Expression 2x+4 = 24 Windows

Linear Equations with Algebraic Expressions

A window cleaner cleans 120 windows in 5 days.

Calculate x x given that each day they clean 2x+4 2x+4 windows.

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

A window cleaner cleans 120 windows in 5 days.

Calculate x x given that each day they clean 2x+4 2x+4 windows.

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify variables and create an equation.
  • Step 2: Solve the equation for the unknown variable x x .

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: We know the window cleaner cleans 2x+4 2x + 4 windows each day. Over 5 days, the total windows cleaned can be expressed as:

5×(2x+4)=120 5 \times (2x + 4) = 120

Step 2: Let's simplify and solve this equation:

First, distribute the 5 across the parenthesis:

5×2x+5×4=120 5 \times 2x + 5 \times 4 = 120

Simplifying further gives:

10x+20=120 10x + 20 = 120

Subtract 20 from both sides to isolate the term containing x x :

10x=100 10x = 100

Now, divide both sides by 10 to solve for x x :

x=10 x = 10

Therefore, the solution to the problem is x=10 x = 10 .

3

Final Answer

10

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Setup: Total work equals daily rate times number of days
  • Technique: Distribute multiplication: 5(2x + 4) = 10x + 20
  • Check: Substitute x = 10: 2(10) + 4 = 24 windows per day ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Not setting up the equation correctly
    Don't just solve 2x + 4 = 24 directly = ignores the 5-day period! This gives x = 10 by coincidence but misses the real relationship. Always multiply the daily rate by the number of days to get total work.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Find the value of the parameter X

\( \frac{1}{3}x=\frac{1}{9} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I multiply (2x + 4) by 5?

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Because (2x + 4) is the number of windows cleaned per day, and we need the total for 5 days. Think of it like: if you earn $20 per day, how much do you earn in 5 days? You multiply: 5 × $20.

What does the distributive property do here?

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The distributive property helps us expand 5(2x + 4) into 10x + 20. This removes the parentheses so we can solve the equation more easily.

How can I check if x = 10 is correct?

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Substitute back: If x = 10, then each day they clean 2(10) + 4 = 24 windows. Over 5 days: 5 × 24 = 120 windows total ✓

What if I get confused about what 2x + 4 represents?

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2x + 4 is an expression that tells us how many windows are cleaned each single day. It's not the total for all 5 days - that's why we multiply by 5!

Could there be other ways to solve this?

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Yes! You could first find the daily rate: 120 ÷ 5 = 24 windows per day. Then solve 2x + 4 = 24 to get x = 10. Both methods work!

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