# Are these right?

#### ~Midnight.Kitten~

##### Junior Member
are these right?

1) 2x=2

2) x+5=17

3) x + 6 = 8

Sorry There's so many.

G

#### Guest

##### Guest
You can check them by plugging x back in.

2 * 0 = 2
No.

13 + 5 = 17
No.

Can you check the last one?

#### ChaoticLlama

##### Junior Member
When doing problems like these, think to yourself, "What can I do to isolate x" The idea of these problems is to have x by itself on one side and everything else on the other.

1) 2x=2

For this question, what operation can you do that would isolate x? Since the coefficient of x is 2, then divide both sides by 2.

2x/2 = 2/2

x = 1

2) x+5=17

What operation would get x alone here?
To have x alone on its side, subtract 5 from the left side of the equation to remove the 5
But remember, for these types of questions you need to keep the equation balanced, so you must subtract 5 from the other side as well

x + 5 - 5 = 17 - 5

x = 12

Do the last question and maybe some other for us to check your work.

#### Denis

##### Senior Member
1) 2x=2

Look at it this way, Black Cat:
if 2 apples cost $2, how much does one apple cost? 2x=2 works same way: if 2 x's equal 2, what does 1 x equal? 2) x+5=17 my answer: x=13 both sides must equal SAME thing; what must be added to 5 to give 17? YES: it's that simple.... #### ~Midnight.Kitten~ ##### Junior Member alexflury said: You can check them by plugging x back in. 2 * 0 = 2 No. 13 + 5 = 17 No. Can you check the last one? I Think so, 6+3=8 No. ? #### ~Midnight.Kitten~ ##### Junior Member Denis said: 1) 2x=2 my answer: x=0 Look at it this way, Black Cat: if 2 apples cost$2, how much does one apple cost?

2x=2 works same way: if 2 x's equal 2, what does 1 x equal?

2) x+5=17

both sides must equal SAME thing; what must be added to 5 to give 17?
YES: it's that simple....
Ironically, I do Have a Black Kitten..but anyway 17-5 is 12 so x would equal 12.and thats all?I thought there was more.

#### Denis

##### Senior Member
YES, that's all...quit complicating things!

Ok let's see your "x-rated" abilities now:

2x + 3 = 13 : what's x?

G

#### Guest

##### Guest
~Midnight.Kitten~ said:
6+3=8
No. ?
I have 6 sticks: | | | | | |

I get 3 more sticks: | | |

How many sticks do I have? Count them.

#### ~Midnight.Kitten~

##### Junior Member
alexflury said:
~Midnight.Kitten~ said:
6+3=8
No. ?
I have 6 sticks: | | | | | |

I get 3 more sticks: | | |

How many sticks do I have? Count them.
oh, yes that does equal 9.

#### ~Midnight.Kitten~

##### Junior Member
Denis said:
YES, that's all...quit complicating things!

Ok let's see your "x-rated" abilities now:

2x + 3 = 13 : what's x?
x=10 ?

#### tkhunny

##### Moderator
Staff member
Nope! Try again.

2*x = 10 <== That is correct. Now what?

#### ~Midnight.Kitten~

##### Junior Member
Divide 10 by 2 so that x=5 ?

#### Denis

##### Senior Member
~Midnight.Kitten~ said:
Divide 10 by 2 so that x=5 ?
YES Black Cat.
If 2 x's cost 10, how much does 1 x cost?
We told you that before...whatdo you not understand?

if 5a = 40, then a = 8
(if 5 apples cost 40 cents, then 1 apple costs 8 cents)

When you see something like 5x, don't get all nervous!
All it means is 5 "something"

#### ~Midnight.Kitten~

##### Junior Member
I know, its justt my math teacher always complicated it all and added all this extra stuff, so i get confused with it really easily.