The equation is .
(Apply distributive property: a(b - c) = ab - ac)
(Multiply:
)
Apply addition property of equality: Add 27 to each side.
\ (Apply additive inverse property:
)
(Apply additive identity property:
)
(Add:
)
(Divide each side by 18)
(Cancel common terms)
(Divide:
)
Check:
\To check, substitute in
.
(Multiply:
)
(Subtract:
)
(Multiply:
)
The solution is .