Question

How do you solve `2x + 38= 11x - 61`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, subtract `color(red)(2x)` and add `color(blue)(61)` to each side of the equation to isolation the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`2x - color(red)(2x) + 38 + color(blue)(61) = 11x - color(red)(2x) - 61 + color(blue)(61)`

`0 + 99 = (11 - color(red)(2))x -0`

`99 = 9x`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(9)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`99/color(red)(9) = (9x)/color(red)(9)`

`11 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(9)))x)/cancel(color(red)(9))`

`11 = x`

`x = 11`