Solve 2x − 5 = 17

The solution of 2x − 5 = 17 is x = 11.

2x - 5 = 17\ \Rightarrow\ x = 11

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The lines y = 2x − 5 and y = 17 meet at x = 11. 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.
$2x - 5 = 17$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$2x - 5 + 5 = 17 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 22$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{22}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 11$
4
Check: put x = 11 back into the equation.
$2\cdot11 - 5 = 22 - 5 = 17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 5 = 17\ \Rightarrow\ x = 11 \]
\[ 2x - 5 = 17 \]
\[ 2x - 5 + 5 = 17 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 22 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{22}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 11 \]
\[ 2\cdot11 - 5 = 22 - 5 = 17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 5 = 17

x	2x − 5	Equals 17?
9	13	no
10	15	no
11	17	yes
12	19	no
13	21	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 5 = 17?

The solution of 2x − 5 = 17 is x = 11.

How do you solve 2x − 5 = 17?

Add 5 to both sides to get 2x = 22, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 11.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 11: 2(11) − 5 = 17, which is 17.

Solve 2x − 5 = 17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 5 = 17

Questions

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