Brackets First

When an inequality has a bracket, distribute first to remove the bracket. To solve $2\left(x-1\right) \le x+3$, multiply out the 2, then collect the x-terms and the numbers.

$$2x-2 \le x+3$$

$$x-2 \le 3$$

$$x \le 5$$

Check with a number below 5, such as 0. The left side is $2\left(0-1\right) = -2$ and the right side is $0+3 = 3$. Since -2 is less than or equal to 3, the answer works.

The order of steps is the same as for an equation with brackets. Distribute, simplify each side, collect the x-terms on one side and the numbers on the other, then divide. The sign only flips if the last step divides by a negative coefficient.