Solve 2x − 2 = x − 5
Linear equation, worked out line by line the way a teacher would write it.
Answer
| Solution | x = −3 |
Step-by-step solution
4 steps-
1 Given2 x - 2 = x - 5
Solve for x.
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2 Subtract x from both sides
An equation stays true as long as you do the same thing to both sides, like adding the same weight to both pans of a balance. Adding or subtracting the same amount on both sides moves a term to the other side, where it appears with the opposite sign.
x - 2 = -5Collect every term containing x on the left.
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3 Add 2 to both sidesx = -3
Move the constant terms to the right.
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4 Check\begin{aligned}x = -3:\quad -8 = -8\quad\checkmark\end{aligned}
Substituting each solution back makes both sides equal.
Check by substitution
| x | Left side | Right side | |
|---|---|---|---|
| −3 | −8 | −8 | ✓ |
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