How do you solve #3x - 5 = 1#?

1 Answer
Nov 27, 2015

Perform operations to each side of the equation to isolate #x# and find that
#x = 2#

Explanation:

Performing operations like addition and division to each side of an equation maintains the validity of the equality. We use these in a particular order to isolate #x#.

First, we use addition to isolate the term containing #x#.

#3x - 5 = 1#

#=> 3x - 5 + 5 = 1 + 5#

#=> 3x = 6#

Now, we use division to remove the coefficient from the #x# term.

#=> (3x)/3 = 6/3#

#=> x = 2#