Solving four-part linear equations

Topic summary

Solving equations can get tricky when there are x terms on both sides, but thankfully there is a simple rule to help you. Always get rid of the smaller amount of x.

Solve four-part equation

\[2x+3=4x−5\]

The smaller amount of x is the \(2x\), so subtract this from both sides.

\[2x+3-2x=4x−5-2x\]

\[3=2x−5\]

Now we can solve.

\[3+5=2x−5+5\]

\[8=2x\]

\[8\div 2=2x\div 2\]

\[4=x\]

We can swap the x and the 4 around.

\[x=4\]