How do you solve #5x - 4= 2x + 7#?

1 Answer
Dec 30, 2016

See explanation below for how to solve this problem:

Explanation:

First, add and subtract the necessary terms to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# terms on one side of the equation and the constants on the other side of the equation while keeping the equation balanced:

#5x - 4 - color(red)(2x) + color(blue)(4) = 2x + 7 - color(red)(2x) + color(blue)(4)#

Next rearrange each side of the equation to group like terms and then combine like terms:

#5x - color(red)(2x) - 4 + color(blue)(4) = 2x - color(red)(2x) + 7 + color(blue)(4)#

#5x - 2x - 0 = 0 + 7 + 4#

#3x = 11#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(3)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(3x)/color(red)(3) = 11/color(red)(3)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = 11/color(red)(3)#

#x = 11/3#