# Math Help - [SOLVED] Solve for x

1. ## [SOLVED] Solve for x

Can someone please show me how to do this equation 5x-3 = 2x+12

2. Originally Posted by wizkid
Can someone please show me how to do this equation 5x-3 = 2x+12
Subtract 2x from both sides: 3x - 3 = 12.
Add 3 to both sides: 3x = 15
Divide 3 from both sides: x=5

3. Originally Posted by wizkid
Can someone please show me how to do this equation 5x-3 = 2x+12
when you want to solve an equation for a variable, your objective is to get that variable on one side of the equal sign by itself.

5x - 3 = 2x + 12 .........first try to get all the terms with x's on one side

=> 5x - 3 - 2x = 12 .....i subtracted 2x from both sides. now i want to get rid of the -3 on the left

=> 5x - 2x = 12 + 3 .....i added 3 to both sides, now simplify

=> 3x = 15 .................i still don't have x by itself, i have 3 times x on the left, let's get rid of the 3

=> x = 15/3 ...............i divided by 3 on both sides

=> x = 5 ...................i simplified