How do you solve #3x - 11= x + 4#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-09-19T04:05:31

See a solution process below:

First, add #color(red)(11)# and subtract #color(blue)(x)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-color(blue)(x) + 3x - 11 + color(red)(11) = -color(blue)(x) + x + 4 + color(red)(11)#

#-1color(blue)(x) + 3x - 0 = 0 + 15#

#(-1 + 3)x = 15#

#2x = 15#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(2)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(2x)/color(red)(2) = 15/color(red)(2)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))x)/cancel(color(red)(2)) = 15/2#

#x = 15/2#

Or

#x = 7.5#