The area of this rectangle is 56 cm2 length = 3k+2 and width = 7 - Find the value of k

The first step in answering any maths question is to identify key words or key information. Key information is area, length and width. We have been told that the total area is 56cm2. We know that area is length mutliplied by width.  We have been told length is equivalent to 3k+2 and width = 7. Therefore to obtain the area we need to multiply length times width so 7 multiplied by 3x+2. This when we multiply 3k+2 we need to put brackets around it (3k+2). When we multiply a number by a bracket it looks like so- 7(3k+2).  So length multiplied by width = area therefore 7(2k+2) = 56. The first step in an equation like this is to get rid of the number in front of the bracket. Also in any equation what you do to one side (left side) you do to the other side (right). To get rid of the 7 you need to divide it by itself so you would divide 7(3k+2) by 7. This will clear the 7 as 7/7  =1 but this has no impact on the number in the brackets. YOu also have to do the same on the other side. Therefore you will divide 56 by 7 = 8

what you are left with is 3k+2 = 8 and the equation becomes easier to solve. The next step is to get the factor of 'k' on its own on that side so you will need to get rid of the + 2. To get rid of +2 you will need to take away 2 from each side. SO you will be left with 3k = 6. Finally you will need to get k on its own therefore you will be need to divide each side by 3 and you will be left with k=2. So the main lession to be learnt is that  what you do to one side of the equation you do the other side.