Solve 2x − 14 = 20

The solution of 2x − 14 = 20 is x = 17.

2x - 14 = 20\ \Rightarrow\ x = 17

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The lines y = 2x − 14 and y = 20 meet at x = 17. 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.
$2x - 14 = 20$
2
Add 14 to both sides:
$2x - 14 + 14 = 20 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 34$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{34}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 17$
4
Check: put x = 17 back into the equation.
$2\cdot17 - 14 = 34 - 14 = 20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 14 = 20\ \Rightarrow\ x = 17 \]
\[ 2x - 14 = 20 \]
\[ 2x - 14 + 14 = 20 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 34 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{34}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 17 \]
\[ 2\cdot17 - 14 = 34 - 14 = 20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 14 = 20

x	2x − 14	Equals 20?
15	16	no
16	18	no
17	20	yes
18	22	no
19	24	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 14 = 20?

The solution of 2x − 14 = 20 is x = 17.

How do you solve 2x − 14 = 20?

Add 14 to both sides to get 2x = 34, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 17.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 17: 2(17) − 14 = 20, which is 20.

Solve 2x − 14 = 20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 14 = 20

Questions

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