How do you solve #5x - 4= 2x - 13#?

2 Answers

#x= -3#

Explanation:

Step 1: Subtract #2x# from both sides of the equation. Thus, you have

#3x-4=-13#

Step 2: Add #4# to both sides. You now have

#3x= -9#

Step 3: Multiply each side by #1/3#. Thus, you are left with

#x= -3#

Mar 6, 2018

#x=-3#

Explanation:

We know that if we perform the same operation on both sides of the equation, we still get an equality. We start with the equation:

#5x-4=2x-13#

We now try to isolate the #x#'s. That is, we want to put all the #x#'s on one side:

#5x-4-2x=2x-13-2x#

Combine like terms:

#3x-4=-13#

We now add #4# to both sides:

#3x-4+4=-13+4#

#3x=-9#

Finally, we divide both sides by #3#:

#(3x)/3=(-9)/3#

#x=-3#