Your goal is to get an answer that looks like x = (a number). Right now you have two things happening to x; there is a 3 being multiplied to x and a 5 being added. You want to slowly "peel away" those numbers so that all your left with is x = (a number).In order to "peel away" the 3 and the 5 you should use the operation that is opposite (or the inverse) of what they are doing. Since the 3 is being multiplied, you would divide by 3, and since the 5 is being added you would subtract a 5. Dividing by 3 and subtracting by 5 always has to be done on both sides of the equal sign. You can't just subtract 5 from anywhere you want. You need to subtract 5 from both sides so that they are still equal.What order do you go in though? Do you divide by 3 first or subtract 5. The answer is, it doesn't matter. But there is a best method and that is using the opposite of the order of operation.So subtract 5 first...3x + 5 - 5 = 29 - 5, simplify to get3x = 24, then divide by 33/3 x = 24/3, sox = 8.
Apply Today and receive complimentary 6 month Premium subscription!
