Parentheses on One Side

To solve $3\left(x+2\right) = 2x+10$, expand the bracket first, then collect the x-terms.

$$3x+6 = 2x+10$$

$$x+6 = 10$$

$$x = 4$$

Check: $3\left(4+2\right) = 18$ and $2\cdot 4+10 = 18$.

Here you must distribute before you collect. While the x is inside the bracket, subtracting $2x$ from both sides gives $3\left(x+2\right)-2x$, which is no simpler. So expand the brackets, collect the like terms on each side, then collect across the equals sign. This order solves every linear equation.