1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $4x - 3 = 2(x + 5)$. 2. **Write the formula and rules:** We use the distributive property and properties of equality to isolate $x$. 3. **Distribute the 2 on the right side:** $$4x - 3 = 2x + 10$$ 4. **Subtract $2x$ from both sides to get all $x$ terms on one side:** $$4x - \cancel{2x} - 3 = \cancel{2x} + 10$$ $$2x - 3 = 10$$ 5. **Add 3 to both sides to isolate the term with $x$:** $$2x - 3 + 3 = 10 + 3$$ $$2x = 13$$ 6. **Divide both sides by 2 to solve for $x$:** $$\frac{2x}{\cancel{2}} = \frac{13}{2}$$ $$x = \frac{13}{2}$$ 7. **Final answer:** $$x = \frac{13}{2}$$ This means $x$ equals 6.5 when simplified.