Solve 2x − 2 = 38

The solution of 2x − 2 = 38 is x = 20.

2x - 2 = 38\ \Rightarrow\ x = 20

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The lines y = 2x − 2 and y = 38 meet at x = 20. 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.
$2x - 2 = 38$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$2x - 2 + 2 = 38 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 40$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{40}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 20$
4
Check: put x = 20 back into the equation.
$2\cdot20 - 2 = 40 - 2 = 38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 2 = 38\ \Rightarrow\ x = 20 \]
\[ 2x - 2 = 38 \]
\[ 2x - 2 + 2 = 38 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 40 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{40}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 20 \]
\[ 2\cdot20 - 2 = 40 - 2 = 38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 2 = 38

x	2x − 2	Equals 38?
18	34	no
19	36	no
20	38	yes
21	40	no
22	42	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 2 = 38?

The solution of 2x − 2 = 38 is x = 20.

How do you solve 2x − 2 = 38?

Add 2 to both sides to get 2x = 40, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 20.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 20: 2(20) − 2 = 38, which is 38.

Solve 2x − 2 = 38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 2 = 38

Questions

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