Chapter 6 - Section 6.2 - Equations with Variables in Both Members - Exercises - Page 240: 18

x=9

Simplifying 3x + -2 = 5x + -20 Reorder the terms: -2 + 3x = 5x + -20 Reorder the terms: -2 + 3x = -20 + 5x Solving -2 + 3x = -20 + 5x Solving for variable 'x'. Move all terms containing x to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '-5x' to each side of the equation. -2 + 3x + -5x = -20 + 5x + -5x Combine like terms: 3x + -5x = -2x -2 + -2x = -20 + 5x + -5x Combine like terms: 5x + -5x = 0 -2 + -2x = -20 + 0 -2 + -2x = -20 Add '2' to each side of the equation. -2 + 2 + -2x = -20 + 2 Combine like terms: -2 + 2 = 0 0 + -2x = -20 + 2 -2x = -20 + 2 Combine like terms: -20 + 2 = -18 -2x = -18 Divide each side by '-2'. x = 9 Simplifying x = 9