Question

How do you solve `5x - 3 = 13 - 3x`?

Answer 1

`x=2`

Explanation:

`"collect terms in x on the left side of the equation and"`
`"numeric values on the right side"`

`"add "3x" to both sides"`

`5x+3x-3=13cancel(-3x)cancel(+3x)`

`8x-3=13`

`"add 3 to both sides"`

`8xcancel(-3)cancel(+3)=13+3`

`8x=16`

`"divide both sides by 8"`

`(cancel(8) x)/cancel(8)=16/8rArrx=2`

`color(blue)"As a check"`

Substitute this value into the equation and if both sides are equal then it is the solution.

`"left "=(5xx2)-3=10-3=7`

`"right "=13-(3xx2)=13-6=7`

`x=2" is the solution"`