Question

How do you solve `5x + 13= 2x - 41`?

Answer 1

`x=-18`

Explanation:

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

`"subtract 2x from both sides"`

`5x-2x+13=cancel(2x)cancel(-2x)-41`

`rArr3x+13=-41`

`"subtract 13 from both sides"`

`3xcancel(+13)cancel(-13)=-41-13`

`rArr3x=-54`

`"divide both sides by 3"`

`(cancel(3) x)/cancel(3)=(-54)/3`

`rArrx=-18`

`color(blue)"As a check"`

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

`"left "=(5xx-18)+13=-90+13=-77`

`"right "=(2xx-18)-41=-36-41=-77`

`rArrx=-18" is the solution"`