The solution to $-4 < 2(x - 1) < 8$ is expressed in the form $a < x < b$. Find the value of $a + b$.
I need to solve for x in this double inequality, so I'll use the same steps as if I were solving a regular equation, but I have to apply them to all three parts of the inequality at once. First, I'll try to get rid of the parentheses by distributing the 2. That gives me $-4 < 2x - 2 < 8$. Next, I'll add 2 to all three parts to isolate 2x. That gives me $-2 < 2x < 10$. Finally, I'll divide all three parts by 2 to solve for x. That gives me $-1 < x < 5$. So the solution is $-1 < x < 5$, which is in the form $a < x < b$ where $a = -1$ and $b = 5$. To find the value of $a + b$, I just add -1 and 5. That gives me 4. 