Solve 2x − 4 = 16

The solution of 2x − 4 = 16 is x = 10.

2x - 4 = 16\ \Rightarrow\ x = 10

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The lines y = 2x − 4 and y = 16 meet at x = 10. 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.
$2x - 4 = 16$
2
Add 4 to both sides:
$2x - 4 + 4 = 16 + 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 20$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{20}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 10$
4
Check: put x = 10 back into the equation.
$2\cdot10 - 4 = 20 - 4 = 16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 4 = 16\ \Rightarrow\ x = 10 \]
\[ 2x - 4 = 16 \]
\[ 2x - 4 + 4 = 16 + 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 20 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{20}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 10 \]
\[ 2\cdot10 - 4 = 20 - 4 = 16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 4 = 16

x	2x − 4	Equals 16?
8	12	no
9	14	no
10	16	yes
11	18	no
12	20	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 4 = 16?

The solution of 2x − 4 = 16 is x = 10.

How do you solve 2x − 4 = 16?

Add 4 to both sides to get 2x = 20, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 10.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 10: 2(10) − 4 = 16, which is 16.

Solve 2x − 4 = 16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 4 = 16

Questions

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