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Terms and Numbers Mixed

Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Algebra journey. Lesson 21 of 61.

In 4x+3−2x=114x+3-2x = 11, a number sits between the two x-terms. The order of the terms in a sum does not matter, so you can collect the terms that are alike. Here 4x−2x4x-2x is 2x2x, and the 3 stays as it is.

2x+3=112x+3 = 11

Now it is an ordinary two-step equation. Subtract 3 from both sides, then divide by 2, and you get x=4x = 4. Check: 4⋅4+3−2⋅4=16+3−8=114\cdot 4+3-2\cdot 4 = 16+3-8 = 11.

When you collect terms, keep each sign with its term. The second x-term here is −2x-2x, not 2x2x. Plain numbers on the same side collect too: x+5−2x+5-2 is x+3x+3. Simplify until each side has at most one x-term and one number, then undo.

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Challenge

Medium

Solve the equation 6x+5−2x=256x+5-2x = 25 for xx.

Try it yourself

6x+5−2x=256x+5-2x = 25

Get xx alone

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