# How do you solve 2x -4 = 5x +17?

Nov 7, 2017

$x = - 7$

#### Explanation:

Begin by adding $4$ and subtracting $5 x$ to both sides:

$2 x \cancel{- 4 \textcolor{red}{+ 4}} \textcolor{b l u e}{- 5 x} = \cancel{5 x \textcolor{b l u e}{- 5 x}} + 17 \textcolor{red}{+ 4}$

$2 x - 5 x = 17 + 4$

$- 3 x = 21$

Divide $- 3$ from both sides

$\frac{\cancel{- 3}}{\cancel{\textcolor{red}{- 3}}} x = \frac{21}{\textcolor{red}{- 3}}$

$x = - 7$

Nov 7, 2017

$x = - 7$

#### Explanation:

Collect like terms and bring $x$ to one side. Take the $- 4$ to the other side so the sign changes. That means add $4$ to $17$.

$2 x - 4 = 5 x + 17$

$2 x = 5 x + 17 + 4$

$2 x = 5 x + 21$

Now take $5 x$ to the other side with the other $x$.

$2 x - 5 x = 21$

$- 3 x = 21$

$x = - 7$

Nov 7, 2017

To solve this equation...

#### Explanation:

1. Isolate the variables
$2 x - 5 x = 4 + 17$
$- 3 x = 21$
3. Divide the terms on both sides by $- 3$
$x = - 7$

SOLUTION:

$x = - 7$

Nov 10, 2017

Transfer all the variables to one side and all the numbers to the other
$2 x - 5 x = 4 + 17$
Solve
$- 3 x = 21$
Transfer $- 3$
$x = \frac{21}{- 3}$
$x = - 7$