If 2x - 5 = 3x + 1, what is x?

If 2x - 5 = 3x + 1, what is x?

• A. 6
• B. -6
• C. -1
• D. 0

Answer: (B)

Solving a linear equation by isolating the variable on one side. For 2x - 5 = 3x + 1, you want x by itself. First, subtract 2x from both sides to move the x term off the left: -5 = x + 1. Next, subtract 1 from both sides to remove the constant on the right: -6 = x. So x equals -6. Check by plugging back: 2(-6) - 5 = -12 - 5 = -17, and 3(-6) + 1 = -18 + 1 = -17, which matches both sides. The steps work because you perform the same operation on both sides, preserving equality.

Solving a linear equation by isolating the variable on one side. For 2x - 5 = 3x + 1, you want x by itself. First, subtract 2x from both sides to move the x term off the left: -5 = x + 1. Next, subtract 1 from both sides to remove the constant on the right: -6 = x. So x equals -6. Check by plugging back: 2(-6) - 5 = -12 - 5 = -17, and 3(-6) + 1 = -18 + 1 = -17, which matches both sides. The steps work because you perform the same operation on both sides, preserving equality.