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

1 Answer
Feb 5, 2016

#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#