Solve 2x − 3 = 21

The solution of 2x − 3 = 21 is x = 12.

2x - 3 = 21\ \Rightarrow\ x = 12

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The lines y = 2x − 3 and y = 21 meet at x = 12. 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.
$2x - 3 = 21$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$2x - 3 + 3 = 21 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 24$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{24}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 12$
4
Check: put x = 12 back into the equation.
$2\cdot12 - 3 = 24 - 3 = 21 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 3 = 21\ \Rightarrow\ x = 12 \]
\[ 2x - 3 = 21 \]
\[ 2x - 3 + 3 = 21 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 24 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{24}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 12 \]
\[ 2\cdot12 - 3 = 24 - 3 = 21 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = 21

x	2x − 3	Equals 21?
10	17	no
11	19	no
12	21	yes
13	23	no
14	25	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 3 = 21?

The solution of 2x − 3 = 21 is x = 12.

How do you solve 2x − 3 = 21?

Add 3 to both sides to get 2x = 24, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 12.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 12: 2(12) − 3 = 21, which is 21.

Solve 2x − 3 = 21

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = 21

Questions

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