2x + 3 = 9 We need to get rid of the 3 term on the left. So we add -3 to both sides: 2x + 3 = 9 -3 -3 ---------- 2x = 6 Now we get rid of the 2 by dividing both sides by 2: 2x 6 ———— = ——— 2 2 Cancel the 2's on the left, and cancel the 2 into the 6 on the right: 1 32x6———— = ———221 1 and all that's left is x = 3 So the solution set is {3} Edwin