<PRE><B>Question 150072</B>
-3x + 1 = 5 - 2x
:
We want to isolate x on the left by performing algebra operations on both sides
:
Add 2x to both sides
-3x + 2x + 1 = 5 - 2x + 2x
;
Do the math on like terms and we have
-1x + 1 = 5
:
subtract 1 from both sides
-x + 1 -1 = 5 - 1
:
which is
-x = 4 
:
We have to have the variable (x) to be positive, multiply both sides by -1
-1(-x) = -1(3)
:
x = -4
:
:
Check solution in the original equation, substitute -4 for x
-3(-4) + 1 = 5 - 2(-4)
+12 + 1 = 5 + 8
13 = 13 proves our solution is correct </PRE>