Which step follows after combining like terms in the equation 4x + 2x - 3 = 14?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the next step to take in solving the equation after simplifying the terms that can be combined. It requires understanding the process of solving linear equations.
Answer
The solution for $x$ is $5$.
Answer for screen readers
The value of $x$ is $5$.
Steps to Solve
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Identify the simplified equation After combining like terms, let's say your equation looks like $2x + 5 = 15$.
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Isolate the variable To find the value of $x$, you want to move the constant term (which is 5 in this case) to the other side of the equation. You do this by subtracting 5 from both sides: $$ 2x + 5 - 5 = 15 - 5 $$
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Simplify the equation This gives you: $$ 2x = 10 $$
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Divide by the coefficient Now, to solve for $x$, divide both sides of the equation by 2: $$ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{10}{2} $$
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Final solution This simplifies to: $$ x = 5 $$
The value of $x$ is $5$.
More Information
When you solve equations, you'll often isolate the variable by using inverse operations, such as addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division. It's a fundamental strategy in algebra to find unknown values.
Tips
- Forgetting to perform the same operation on both sides of the equation. Always ensure you maintain the equality by doing the same to both sides.
- Miscalculating or overlooking the constants while moving them across the equal sign. Be careful in your arithmetic to avoid small mistakes.
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