Solve 3x − 2 = 16

The solution of 3x − 2 = 16 is x = 6.

3x - 2 = 16\ \Rightarrow\ x = 6

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The lines y = 3x − 2 and y = 16 meet at x = 6. 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.
$3x - 2 = 16$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$3x - 2 + 2 = 16 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 18$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 6$
4
Check: put x = 6 back into the equation.
$3\cdot6 - 2 = 18 - 2 = 16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 2 = 16\ \Rightarrow\ x = 6 \]
\[ 3x - 2 = 16 \]
\[ 3x - 2 + 2 = 16 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 18 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 6 \]
\[ 3\cdot6 - 2 = 18 - 2 = 16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = 16

x	3x − 2	Equals 16?
4	10	no
5	13	no
6	16	yes
7	19	no
8	22	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 2 = 16?

The solution of 3x − 2 = 16 is x = 6.

How do you solve 3x − 2 = 16?

Add 2 to both sides to get 3x = 18, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 6: 3(6) − 2 = 16, which is 16.

Solve 3x − 2 = 16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = 16

Questions

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