Two Layers to Undo

A two-step equation does two things to the unknown. In $2x+3 = 11$, $x$ is first multiplied by 2, and then 3 is added. To get $x$ alone, undo the two operations in reverse order. The last operation done is the first one undone. So subtract 3 first, and divide by 2 second:

$$2x+3-3 = 11-3$$

$$2x = 8$$

$$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{8}{2}$$

$$x = 4$$

Subtracting 3 removed the added number, and dividing by 2 removed the coefficient.

In $2x+3 = 11$, $x$ is multiplied by 2 and then 3 is added. Undo those operations in reverse order: subtract 3, then divide by 2. Dividing by 2 first also works, but it gives $x+\frac{3}{2} = \frac{11}{2}$, with fractions.