Question

Solve for x.
16x - 5 = 18x - 2

Answer 1

When we have a problem like this, we're trying to get the unknown variable by itself. In this case, it's 'x' and we can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to help us.

16x - 5 = 18x - 2

Start by subtracting 16x from both sides:

16x - 5 -16x = 18x - 2 - 16x
-5 = 2x - 2

Now add 2 to both sides:

-5 + 2 = 2x - 2 + 2
-3 = 2x

Now divide both sides by 2 to get x:

-3 / 2 = 2x / 2

-3/2 = x

So x = -3/2 which is the same as x = -1 1/2
seems a little easy but hopes this helps :) :D :)

Answer 2

The equation given in the question is
16x - 5 = 18x - 2
16x - 18x = - 2 + 5
-2x = 3
- x = 3/2
- x = 1 1/2
Multiplying both sides of the equation by -1 we get
x = - 1 1/2
So the value of the unknown variable "x" is -1 1/2. I hope there is nothing complicated in the procedure and it is easy for you to understand. In future you can attempt similar kind of problems using this method and will require no additional help from anyone. Only be careful about the calculation part. Other than the calculation part, there is nothing complicated.