Question

Solve for x
4x-3+2x-9=2
....I got confused because theres 2 x's i only know how to do it with one.

Answer 1

Let's rewrite the equation like this: 4x + 2x - 3 - 9 = 2

Answer 2

6... so 6x?

Answer 3

now what do i do?

Answer 4

4 + 2 = 6
4x + 2x = 6x
same concept.

So it would be 6x - 12 = 2
6x = 14
x = 7/3

Answer 5

thank you!

Answer 6

happy to help

Answer 7

hey, what do i do if the x's are on separate sides of the equal sign?

Answer 8

you either subtract one of them or add one of them...any way to get them both on the same side

Answer 9

example:
3x + 4 = 2x - 6 -- subtract 2x from both sides
3x - 2x + 4 = 2x - 2x - 6 -- combine like terms
x + 4 = -6 -- subtract 4 from both sides
x + 4 - 4 = -6 - 4 -- combine like terms
x = -10
and you would just sub -10 in for x to solve for y

Answer 10

so if the problem is Solve for X and the equation is
4x-3=x+18
what would i do?

Answer 11

oops...there is no y...lol..sorry about that

Answer 12

you would subtract x from both sides

Answer 13

let me show you..
4x - 3 = x + 18 -- subtract x from both sides because what you do on one side of the equal sign, you have to do on the other
4x - x - 3 = x - x + 18 -- combine like terms (notice the x's cancel out o the right side)
3x - 3 = 18 -- now add 3 to both sides
3x - 3 + 3 = 18 + 3 -- combine like terms (the 3's cancel out on the right side)
3x = 20
x = 20/3

understand ?

Answer 14

oops..the 3's cancel out on the left side

Answer 15

yes. thank you so much!

Answer 16

is it easier for you to see it this way..
4x - 3 = x + 18
-x -x
===========add
3x - 3 = 18
+3 +3
===========add
3x = 20 -- divide by 3
x = 20/3

Answer 17

yea, it is. lol.

Answer 18

whatever is easiest for you to understand :)

Answer 19

wait but wouldn't the 20 be 21 because its 18+3?

Answer 20

yep...your right...my bad

Answer 21

21/3 also reduces to 7

Answer 22

its ok and one more question, sorry. at the very end is that the answer or would i still have to divide it by three to get the answer?

Answer 23

yes...if you have , for instance, 3x or 4x or any number times x, to get x by itself, you would have to divide

Answer 24

k, thank you.

Answer 25

wait..you still have to divide by 3 giving you 21/3, which reduces to 7

you can even check your answer
4x - 3 = x + 18
4(7) - 3 = 7 + 18
28 - 3 = 25
25 = 25 (correct)

Answer 26

all right, i got it. :)