Solve 2x − 1 = 5

The solution of 2x − 1 = 5 is x = 3.

2x - 1 = 5\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3

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The lines y = 2x − 1 and y = 5 meet at x = 3. The solution of the equation is the x-coordinate of the point where the two sides are equal.

How to work it out

1
The goal is to get x alone. Undo the operations in the opposite order: first the subtraction, then the multiplication.
$2x - 1 = 5$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$2x - 1 + 1 = 5 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3$
4
Check: put x = 3 back into the equation.
$2\cdot3 - 1 = 6 - 1 = 5 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 1 = 5\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2x - 1 = 5 \]
\[ 2x - 1 + 1 = 5 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2\cdot3 - 1 = 6 - 1 = 5 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = 5

x	2x − 1	Equals 5?
1	1	no
2	3	no
3	5	yes
4	7	no
5	9	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 1 = 5?

The solution of 2x − 1 = 5 is x = 3.

How do you solve 2x − 1 = 5?

Add 1 to both sides to get 2x = 6, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 3: 2(3) − 1 = 5, which is 5.

Solve 2x − 1 = 5

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = 5

Questions

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