Solve 3x − 2 = 40

The solution of 3x − 2 = 40 is x = 14.

3x - 2 = 40\ \Rightarrow\ x = 14

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The lines y = 3x − 2 and y = 40 meet at x = 14. 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.
$3x - 2 = 40$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$3x - 2 + 2 = 40 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 42$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{42}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 14$
4
Check: put x = 14 back into the equation.
$3\cdot14 - 2 = 42 - 2 = 40 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 2 = 40\ \Rightarrow\ x = 14 \]
\[ 3x - 2 = 40 \]
\[ 3x - 2 + 2 = 40 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 42 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{42}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 14 \]
\[ 3\cdot14 - 2 = 42 - 2 = 40 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = 40

x	3x − 2	Equals 40?
12	34	no
13	37	no
14	40	yes
15	43	no
16	46	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 2 = 40?

The solution of 3x − 2 = 40 is x = 14.

How do you solve 3x − 2 = 40?

Add 2 to both sides to get 3x = 42, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 14.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 14: 3(14) − 2 = 40, which is 40.

Solve 3x − 2 = 40

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = 40

Questions

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