Question

What is the steps to this problem 5X-X=28

Answer 1

You must first combine like terms. Like terms means the numbers with the same variables must be combined. In this case those two numbers are 5x and -x, since they both have the variable x attached.

You can combine these variables two different ways. Both will get you the same answer.

Method 1:

5x + (-x) ---> 4x

^^^Keep in mind that -x means the same thing as -1x. The one is just invisible.

Another way to write this is:

5x + (-1x) ---> 4x

Method 2:

5x - 1x ---> 4x

Now that you combined like terms you have the new equation:

4x = 28

Now you must divide 4 to both sides to isolate x. Since 4 is being multiplied by x, division (the opposite of multiplication) will cancel 4 out (in this case it will make 4 one) from the left side and bring it over to the right side.

4x ÷ 4 = 28 ÷ 4

x = 7

Check:

5(7) - 7 = 28

35 - 7 = 28

28 = 28

Hope this helped!

~Just a girl in love with Shawn Mendes

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

$5x-x=28\qquad (x=1x)\\\\5x-1x=28\qquad\text{combine like terms}\\\\(5-1)x=28\\\\4x=28\qquad\text{divide both sides by 4}\\\\\dfrac{4x}{4}=\dfrac{28}{4}\\\\x=7$