How do you solve #63-x=2x+3#?

1 Answer
David B.
Apr 15, 2016

We can solve this by remembering to always to the same thing to both sides of the equation leading to #x=20#

Explanation:

We can solve this by remembering to always do the same thing to both sides of the equation. Lets start by adding #x# to both sides, since it is easy to see that this will eliminate the #x# from the left-hand side:

#63 - x + x = 2x + 3 +x#

which gives

#63 = 3x +3#

now we can subtract #3# from both sides giving

#63-3 = 3x+3-3#

#60=3x#

Let's divide both sides by 3 this time:

#60/3 = (3x)/3#

#20 = x#

We are also allowed to write the equation in the opposite order giving

#x=20#

We can check our answer by substituting it into the original:

#63-x=2x+3#

#63 - 20 = 2*20+3#

#43 = 43# Correct!

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