If 2(x − 4) = 14, what is the value of x?

Two approaches both work. Approach 1 — distribute first: 2(x − 4) = 14 becomes 2x − 8 = 14; add 8: 2x = 22; divide by 2: x = 11. Approach 2 — divide first: divide both sides by 2: x − 4 = 7; add 4: x = 11. Verify: 2(11 − 4) = 2(7) = 14 ✓. When the variable appears once inside parentheses with a coefficient, dividing first is often cleaner. When the equation involves multiple variable terms, distributing first is necessary. Order of operations matters during solving just as in evaluation. Parentheses with subtraction are a common source of sign errors — distribute carefully.