How do you solve 2x + 1 = 9?

1 Answer
Jul 27, 2015

Isolate x on one side of the equation.

Explanation:

In order to solve this equation, you have to isolatex on one side of the equation. You can do that in two steps.

First, add -1 to both sides of the equation

2x + color(red)(cancel(color(black)(1))) - color(red)(cancel(color(black)(1))) = 9 - 1

2x = 8

Finally, divide both sides of the equation by 2 to get

(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2))) * x)/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2))) = 8/2

x = color(green)(4)

And there you have it. If you double x and add one, you get nine.