Solve 5x − 3 = 17

The solution of 5x − 3 = 17 is x = 4.

5x - 3 = 17\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4

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The lines y = 5x − 3 and y = 17 meet at x = 4. 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.
$5x - 3 = 17$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$5x - 3 + 3 = 17 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 20$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4$
4
Check: put x = 4 back into the equation.
$5\cdot4 - 3 = 20 - 3 = 17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 3 = 17\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 5x - 3 = 17 \]
\[ 5x - 3 + 3 = 17 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 20 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 5\cdot4 - 3 = 20 - 3 = 17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 3 = 17

x	5x − 3	Equals 17?
2	7	no
3	12	no
4	17	yes
5	22	no
6	27	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 3 = 17?

The solution of 5x − 3 = 17 is x = 4.

How do you solve 5x − 3 = 17?

Add 3 to both sides to get 5x = 20, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = 4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 4: 5(4) − 3 = 17, which is 17.

Solve 5x − 3 = 17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 3 = 17

Questions

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