Question

What is x if 2x±3=45

Answer 1

`2x\pm3=45\\2x=42 \vee 2x=48\\x=21 \vee x=24`

Answer 2

x = 21 or 24

Explanation:

That ± tells you we are setting up two different equations to solve for x, as both answers can satisfy the equation.

We do 2x + 3 = 45 and 2x - 3 = 45.

Let's solve them each separately.

2x + 3 = 45
subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x on its own:
2x + 3 - 3 = 45 - 3
simplify:
2x + 0 = 42 or 2x = 42
divide both sides by 2 to isolate variable x
(2x / 2) = (42 / 2)
x = 21

2x - 3 = 45
add 3 to both sides to get 2x on its own:
2x - 3 + 3 = 45 + 3
simplify:
2x + 0 = 48 or 2x = 48
divide both sides by 2 to isolate variable x
(2x / 2) = (48 / 2)
x = 24

x = 21, 24 is your answer