Chapter 2: Q. 230 (page 241)
230. When solving an equation with variables on both sides, why is it usually better to choose the side with the larger coefficient of x to be the 鈥渧ariable鈥 side?
Short Answer
It is usually better to choose the side with the larger coefficient of x to be the 鈥渧ariable鈥 side because it makes the equation to solve easily. In this way on the variable side, its coefficient will be positive which will avoid sign confusion and make solving equations easy.