<h2>
Answer:</h2>
The answer is x = 2.
<h2>
Step-by-step explanation:</h2>
<u><em>* Scroll to the bottom for an explanation in list format</em></u><em> :)</em>
In this problem, our goal is to solve for x in order to identify said variable's value. To do this, we must isolate the variable x on one side, whilst the other side contains solely the value of x. The rules that we will be using for this problem are '<em>Line of Equality</em>' and '<em>PEMDAS</em>.' Line of Equality is a rule that states that what you do to one side of an inequality/equation, you must to do the other as well. PEMDAS is a mathematical acronym used as a tell-tale of sorts for order of operations - often OoO for inequalities such as this one. In PEMDAS, P stands for Parenthesis, E stands for Exponents, M stands for Multiplication, D stands for Division, A stands for Addition, and S stands for Subtraction. You use each letter in order of the spelling, with the exception that you do Multiplication and Division by whichever comes first in the equation; the same goes for Addition and Subtraction. However, when solving this inequality, we won't have to focus on the complications of P, E, or M at all.
The (original) inequality this problem gives us is 14 + 3x = 2 + 9x. Our first step is to choose which side we will isolate x to, leaving the other one to be its value. I would personally recommend isolate whichever x value is greater, but either way works. This time around, I chose to isolate 9x.
Since I've decided to isolate x on the right side (2 + 9x), that means I have to eliminate any other x values on either side of the inequality. The only other x value is 3x. Due to + 3x being adding a positive 3x, we have to counteract it by eliminating it and changing its value to 0. In this case, we can counteract + 3x by subtracting 3x (aka - 3x). Remember, the <em>Line of Equality</em> rule means we have to do the same to either side; if we subtract 3x on one side, we also have to do so on the other. 14 + 3x - 3x = 2 + 9x - 3x. +3x - 3x = 0, or 0x. 9x - 3x = 6x. After combining like terms, the new inequality is 14 = 2 + 6x.
Now, I have to eliminate any numerical values, or regular numbers (which, in this case, would be numbers without a variable attached to them), on the right side, since that is the side I want to isolate x on. The only numerical value on the right side of my inequality is 2. This 2, or + 2, can be counteracted by subtracting 2, or - 2. Our rule causes us to subtract 2 from both sides. 14 - 2 = 2 - 2 + 6x. 14 - 2 = 12. 2 - 2 = 0. After combining like terms, the new inequality is 12 = 6x.
Now, I have to simplify x and make it singular. 1x and x are the same thing, so I must make 6x into x. 6x is the same thing as 6 * x. Therefore, since 6 * x is multiplication, I have to do the opposite to get the desired result. I should divide 6x by 6 to get 6. Due to the <em>Line of Equality</em>, I also have to divide 12 by 6. 12 ÷ 6 = 6x ÷ 6. 12 ÷ 6 = 2. 6x ÷ 6 = x. After combining like terms, the new inequality is 2 = x.
Lastly, mainly for a bonus step, we should flip the places of 2 and x. This is because, similarly to most problems, this question places x on the left side of the inequality. The 2 and x in 2 = x must switch places in order to properly finish this problem. Since this inequality uses an equal sign, the symbol will remain as an = when the inequality is flipped. However, it should be noted that when using symbols such as greater than (>) or less than (<), the sign will flip with the rest of the inequality. = is a symmetrical sign, which is why it will remain the same; it is the same equivalent symbol even when flipped. After we flip the inequality, the new equation becomes x = 2. Therefore, our answer is x = 2.
<h3>For those that want a list format of the procedure for this inequality's solving - here you go: </h3>
* <u>Remember the '</u><u><em>Line of Equality</em></u><u>' Rule: What you do on one side, on the other do the same.</u>
14 + 3x = 2 + 9x
<em>Subtract 3x from both sides.</em>
14 + 3x - 3x = 2 + 9x - 3x
14 = 2 + 6x
<em>Subtract 2 from both sides.</em>
14 - 2 = (+)2 - 2 + 6x
12 = 6x
<em>Divide both sides by 6.</em>
12 ÷ 6 = 6x ÷ 6
2 = x
<em>Flip the inequality. (The sign remains the same since it's the equal sign.)</em>
x = 2
Therefore, our answer is x = 2.
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