Question

14 = 1/2 (9x - 8) solve for x in the simplest form

Answer 1

Solving an equation for x

We want to find which value must have x, so this equation is true:

`14=((9x-8))/(2)`

In order to solve the equation for x we want to "leave x alone" on one side of the equation.

In order to do that we just have to remember one simple rule: what we do on one side of the equal "=" is what we must do on the other side.

Step 1: taking 2 to the left side

`\begin{gathered} 14=((9x-8))/(2) \\ \downarrow \\ 14\cdot2=9x-8 \\ 28=9x-8 \end{gathered}`

Step 2: taking 8 to the left side

`\begin{gathered} 28=9x-8 \\ \downarrow \\ 28+8=9x \\ 36=9x \end{gathered}`

Step 3: taking 9 to the left side

`\begin{gathered} 36=9x \\ \downarrow \\ (36)/(9)=x \\ 4=x \\ \end{gathered}`

Then,

answer: x = 4