How Do You Solve an Identity Equation?

Multiply the 1/2 by each number in the parentheses to distribute
Since the equation is the same on both sides, it will be true no matter what you plug in for x!
If you get an equation where the variables cancel out and you're left with a true statement, you have an identity equation

1. Multiply the 1/2 by each number in the parentheses to distribute
2. 1/2 times 32 is 16
3. 1/2 times 12x is 6x
1. On the right hand side, 16 and -1 are like terms
2. Subtracting 1 from 16 gives us 15
3. An identity equation will be true no matter what you put in for the variable
1. Try to get all the variables on one side to solve
2. Since the x's cancel out when we try and group them and we're left with 15=15, that means we have an identity equation
3. 15=15 will always be true!

Solve the following problem:15+6x=(1/2)(32+12x)-1