-2(x + 1) = 2 first you need to distribute to distribute you have to multiply -2 by both x and 1 and so you're left with -2x + 1 = 2 then using inverse operations, subtract 1 by both sides -2x + 1 = 2 - 1 - 1 so then you're left with -2x = 1 next you divide -2x/2 and 1/2x which equals .5 so x= .5