Question 526·Easy·Algebra

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$2x - 5 = 11$

What value of $x$ satisfies the given equation?

A linear equation has the variable to the first power. Undo addition or subtraction before multiplication, doing the same thing to both sides. You can also enter the original equation as a Desmos regression to find the unknown. The trap is reporting the value of a multiple of $x$ instead of $x$ itself.

Hints

Hint 1
The $-5$ is applied after $x$ is doubled. To undo that subtraction, add $5$ to both sides so they stay equal. What value does that give you for $2x$ ?
Hint 2
The coefficient is the number multiplying $x$ ; here it's $2$ . Knowing $2x$ is not yet knowing $x$ . Divide by $2$ , or enter the original equation in Desmos using $x_1$ as the unknown.

Step-by-step

Undo the subtraction, then find $x$
Step 1
Get $2x$ by itself
Add $5$ to both sides to undo the $-5$ . Doing the same thing to both sides keeps the equation equal.
$2x-5+5=11+5$ $2x=16$
That's the value of twice $x$ , not $x$ .
Step 2
Find the value of $x$
Type the original equation in Desmos as $2x_1-5\sim11$ . Desmos uses $x_1$ as the unknown to solve for and $\sim$ to match the two sides. Under PARAMETERS, it shows $x_1=8$ . So the value of $x$ that satisfies the equation is $8$ . Choice B.

Question 526·Easy·Algebra

Strategy

Hints

Step-by-step

Lessons that teach this

Study Hints

Strategy

Hints

Step-by-step

Lessons that teach this