Since <span>x</span> contains the variable to solve for, move it to the left side of the equation by subtracting <span>x</span> from both sides.<span><span><span><span><span>2m</span><span><span>−n</span>x</span></span><span>−x</span></span>=4 </span></span>Since 2m does not contain the variable to solve for, move it to the right side of the equation by subtracting 2m from both sides.<span><span><span><span><span>n</span>x</span><span>-x</span></span>=<span><span><span>-2</span>m</span>+4</span></span></span>Factor <span>x</span> out of <span><span><span><span>−n</span>x</span><span>−x</span></span></span><span><span><span>x<span>(<span><span>−n</span><span>−1</span></span>)</span></span>=<span><span><span>−2</span>m</span>+4</span></span></span>Divide each term by <span><span><span>−n</span><span>−1</span></span><span><span>-n</span><span>-1</span></span></span> and simplify.<span>x=<span><span><span>2<span>(<span>m<span>−2</span></span>)/</span></span><span>n+1</span></span></span></span>
j=3 times s j=3s in five years (j+5,s+5) j+5=2 times (5+s) j+5=2(s+5) j+5=2s+10 subtract 5 from both sides j=2s+5 use other equation j=3s j=2s+5 subsitute 3s=2s+5 subtract 2s s=5