Solve 2x + 5 = 17
The solution of 2x + 5 = 17 is x = 6.
Problem
Answer
Step-by-step solution
Step 1: Subtract 5
Subtract 5 from both sides to isolate the x term.
Step 2: Divide by 2
Divide both sides by the coefficient of x.
Step 3: Check
2(6) + 5 = 12 + 5 = 17, so both sides match.
Why this works
This is a linear equation because x appears only to the first power. Inverse operations undo the equation in reverse order: subtraction before division. Each step is applied to both sides so equality is preserved.
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Solve x² − 5x + 6 = 0
Standard form is already ax² + bx + c = 0. The discriminant is 1, so there are two real roots: 2 and 3.
Frequently asked questions
Why subtract before dividing?
Addition and subtraction sit outside the product 2x. Undo those first, then undo multiplication.