Solving the Equation (x+2)(x+3) = (x+1)(x+5)
This equation involves expanding brackets and solving for the unknown variable 'x'. Let's break down the steps:
Expanding the Brackets
First, we expand both sides of the equation using the distributive property (or FOIL method):
- Left side: (x+2)(x+3) = x(x+3) + 2(x+3) = x² + 3x + 2x + 6 = x² + 5x + 6
- Right side: (x+1)(x+5) = x(x+5) + 1(x+5) = x² + 5x + x + 5 = x² + 6x + 5
Now our equation looks like this: x² + 5x + 6 = x² + 6x + 5
Simplifying the Equation
Notice that both sides have the term 'x²'. We can subtract 'x²' from both sides to eliminate it:
- x² + 5x + 6 - x² = x² + 6x + 5 - x²
- This simplifies to 5x + 6 = 6x + 5
Isolating 'x'
Now we need to isolate 'x' on one side of the equation. Let's subtract '5x' from both sides:
- 5x + 6 - 5x = 6x + 5 - 5x
- This simplifies to 6 = x + 5
Finally, subtract '5' from both sides to get 'x' by itself:
- 6 - 5 = x + 5 - 5
- This gives us x = 1
Solution
Therefore, the solution to the equation (x+2)(x+3) = (x+1)(x+5) is x = 1.