Question

Ronin simplified an expression, and his solution is shown below. His teacher told him to verify that they are equivalent by using x = 5. What is the resulting value of both expressions?

x + 13 + 2 x minus 4 = 3 x + 9
15
24
32
36

Answer 1

Answer: 24

Step-by-step explanation:

Replace x on the left hand side.

Use PEMDAS to simplify.

x+13+2x-4

5+13+2*5-4

5+13+10-4

18+10-4

28-4

24

Then replace x on the right hand side.

3x+9

3*5+9

15+9

24

The equation x+13+2x-4 = 3x+9 updates to 24 = 24 after replacing each copy of x with 5 and simplifying fully. This confirms that x = 5 is the solution to the equation.