3( x + 1 ) = - 2 ( x - 1 ) + 6 
1) Clear the parentheses by distributing the 3 and the - 2 
When you have done that, this is what you will get: 
3x + 3 = - 2x + 2 + 6 
2) Combine the like terms on the right 
You will get this: 
3x + 3 = - 2x + 8 
3) Add 2x to both sides to collect all the x terms together on the same side 
When you finish doing that, you will have 
5x + 3 = 8 
4) Subtract 3 from both sides to isolate the 5x term alone on one side 
You will get 
5x = 5 
5) Divide both sides by 5 to isolate x 
x = 1 <-- answer