document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=115548>Question 115548</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> what is the answer to 5x+2=x+7 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #84105 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=bucky><B>bucky(2189)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=bucky><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=84105\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The general steps to solving an equation such as this are:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "First collect all the terms containing x on one side of the equation and all the constants on<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the other side.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Second combine terms to simplify the equation.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Third divide both sides by the multiplier of x to solve for x<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let's apply those steps.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Start with the given equation:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5x + 2 = x + 7<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Get rid of the +2 on the left side by subtracting 2 from both sides. When you do that subtraction<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the equation becomes:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5x + 2 - 2 = x + 7 - 2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Next get rid of the x on the right side by subtracting x from both sides. This makes the<BR>\n" );
document.write( "equation become:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5x - x + 2 - 2 = x - x + 7 - 2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now we simplify the results. On the left side the 5x - x becomes 4x and the +2 - 2 cancel each<BR>\n" );
document.write( "other out making the 2's disappear. This first simplification reduces the left side, making the<BR>\n" );
document.write( "equation:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "4x = x - x + 7 -2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "On the right side combining x and -x results in the x's disappearing on the right side.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "And combining +7 and -2 results in +5. So now the equation is reduced to:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "4x = 5<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Finally, solve for x by dividing both sides by 4 ... because the multiplier of x is 4. This <BR>\n" );
document.write( "division makes the equation become:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x = 5/4<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "That's the answer to this problem ... x = 5/4.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Hope this explanation helps you to understand the problem. When you get a little more practice<BR>\n" );
document.write( "in working these problems, you will be able to do a lot of the detail in your head without<BR>\n" );
document.write( "writing every step as was done above. That will make things a lot easier.<BR>\n" );
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