Solve for x: 7x-4=20x+2

Question

In this problem, you are given 7x-4=20x+2. How do you solve for x?

Answer 1

When you have an equation like this you want to start by combining like terms, so that would mean moving the x values to one side and the constant values to the other.

On this one that becomes

7x – 4 = 20x + 2

-13x = 6

At that point then you can divide both sides by -13 to get

x = -6/13

I hope that helps get you moving in the right direction! Feel free to message me if you have any more questions beyond that about how to apply this concept :)

Answer 2

For solving one-variable equations, we want to ISOLATE the variable.

Move x to one side (either one works). In this case, I chose left side.

7x - 4 = 20x + 2

7x - 4 - 20x = 2 ------------- move "20x" left

7x - 20x = 4 + 2 -------- move "-4" right

-13x = 6 ------------- simplify

x = -6/13 -------- solve

When moving a term across the equal sign, FLIP the sign.

Answer 3

7x -4 = 20x +2

combine like terms

20x -7x = -4-2 = -6

13x = -6

divide by 13

x = -6/13

x = 0.461538461538461538... where the 461538 repeats endlessly, forever & ever, amen, with an infinite number of decimals, halleluia or halleluja as we observe the wonders of Infinity

Answer 4

When given the equation: 7x - 4 = 20x + 2.

We will want to start by getting like terms on opposite sides of the equals sign. So have the x terms on one side and the non-variable terms on the other. We do this by doing the opposite of PEMDAS.

It's easier in this case to remove the smaller terms from the larger terms.

7x - 4 = 20x + 2

7x - 4 -2 = 20x + 2 - 2

7x - 6 = 20x

7x - 7x -6 = 20x -7x

-6 = 13x isolate x

-6/13 = 13x/13

x = -6/13

Answer 5

You want to get x by itself on one side of the equals sign:

7x - 4 = 20x + 2

-20x -20x (Step 1: get x stuff on one side)

-13x - 4 = 2 (you subtract 20x from the right so you have to also subtract from the left)

-13x - 4 = 2

+ 4 + 4 (Step 2: get everything else on the other)

-13x = 6 (same as before, you add 4 to the left so you add 4 to the right)

-13x = 6

÷ -13 ÷ -13 (Step 3: get the numbers off of x)

x = -6/13 (to get -13 off of x you need to divide by -13, but do it on both sides)

And you're left with x = -6/13

Answer 6

Step 1:

First thing that you'll want to do is get x on one side of the equation. Choose which side you want x to be isolated. In my personal experience, I've always isolated x on the side where x becomes positive rather than negative. But it honestly doesn't matter which side you have x isolated because you'll get the same answer for x either way you solve the equation.

In this equation, I am going to subtract 7x from both sides of the equations. When I do that, I will end up with this new updated equation: -4=13x+2

Step 2:

Once you have done that, you'll see that there is some variables left on the side that x is on. Get x by itself by either adding or subtracting that number on both sides of the equation to cancel out that variable on one side so that x is alone.

In this case, I will be subtracting 2 from both sides of the equation to get x by itself. When I do that, I will end up with this equation: -6=13x

Step 3:

Lastly, you finally have x by itself. But now, you have to get rid of the number attached to x by dividing both sides of the equation.

In this case, I will divide both sides by 13. That will cancel out the 13 attached to x, which gives you the answer, x=-6/13