1. **State the problem:** Solve for $x$ in the equation $$4(x+2) = 2x + 18$$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply 4 by each term inside the parentheses: $$4 \times x + 4 \times 2 = 4x + 8$$ So the equation becomes: $$4x + 8 = 2x + 18$$ 3. **Isolate the variable terms:** Subtract $2x$ from both sides to get all $x$ terms on one side: $$4x - 2x + 8 = 18$$ Simplify: $$2x + 8 = 18$$ 4. **Isolate the constant term:** Subtract 8 from both sides: $$2x = 18 - 8$$ $$2x = 10$$ 5. **Solve for $x$:** Divide both sides by 2: $$x = \frac{10}{2}$$ $$x = 5$$ **Final answer:** $x = 5$