Question

How do you solve `14 = 2x-8`?

Answer 1

`x=11`

Explanation:

Given: `" "14=2x-8`

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`color(blue)("Using short cuts and skipping steps")`

Move the -8 to the other side

`14+8=2x`

Divide by 2

`11=x`

`x=11`

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`color(blue)("From first principles")`

Add 8 to both sides

`14+8=2x-8+8`

`22=2x+0`

`22=2x`
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Divide both sides by 2 (`" note that "-:2" is the same as" xx1/2` )

`22xx1/2=2x xx1/2`

`22/2=2/2 xx x`

`11=1xx x`

`11=x`

Convention is that the `x` is on the left, so write as:

`x=11`