Solve 3x − 5 = 16

The solution of 3x − 5 = 16 is x = 7.

3x - 5 = 16\ \Rightarrow\ x = 7

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The lines y = 3x − 5 and y = 16 meet at x = 7. 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.
$3x - 5 = 16$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$3x - 5 + 5 = 16 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 21$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 7$
4
Check: put x = 7 back into the equation.
$3\cdot7 - 5 = 21 - 5 = 16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 5 = 16\ \Rightarrow\ x = 7 \]
\[ 3x - 5 = 16 \]
\[ 3x - 5 + 5 = 16 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 21 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 7 \]
\[ 3\cdot7 - 5 = 21 - 5 = 16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = 16

x	3x − 5	Equals 16?
5	10	no
6	13	no
7	16	yes
8	19	no
9	22	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 5 = 16?

The solution of 3x − 5 = 16 is x = 7.

How do you solve 3x − 5 = 16?

Add 5 to both sides to get 3x = 21, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 7: 3(7) − 5 = 16, which is 16.

Solve 3x − 5 = 16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = 16

Questions

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