Solve 3x − 2 = 13

The solution of 3x − 2 = 13 is x = 5.

3x - 2 = 13\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5

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The lines y = 3x − 2 and y = 13 meet at x = 5. 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.
$3x - 2 = 13$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$3x - 2 + 2 = 13 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 15$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{15}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5$
4
Check: put x = 5 back into the equation.
$3\cdot5 - 2 = 15 - 2 = 13 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 2 = 13\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 3x - 2 = 13 \]
\[ 3x - 2 + 2 = 13 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 15 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{15}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 3\cdot5 - 2 = 15 - 2 = 13 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = 13

x	3x − 2	Equals 13?
3	7	no
4	10	no
5	13	yes
6	16	no
7	19	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 2 = 13?

The solution of 3x − 2 = 13 is x = 5.

How do you solve 3x − 2 = 13?

Add 2 to both sides to get 3x = 15, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 5: 3(5) − 2 = 13, which is 13.

Solve 3x − 2 = 13

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = 13

Questions

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