Question

Solve the following 5x – 5 = 3x – 9

Answer 1

Answer:

x = -2

Step-by-step explanation:

The given equation is a multi-step equation since it has the variable on both sides of the equal sign.  However, the goal of any equation is to isolate the variable (get it by itself) by using inverse (opposite) operations to get the variable on one side of the equal sign and the numbers on the other.

5x - 5 = 3x - 9

1.  Subtract '3x' from both sides:

5x - 3x  - 5 = 3x - 3x - 9

2x - 5 = -9

2.  Add '5' to both sides:

2x - 5 + 5 = -9 + 5

2x = -4

3.  Divide '2' from both sides:

2x/2 = -4/2

x = -2

Answer 2

5x-5=3x-9
5x+4=3x
4=-2x
X=-2