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Exercises Expressions, exponents and radicals

Example 2.31 from Prealgebra, 2.3 Solving Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality

Solving Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 2.31

Solve: $x + 8 = 17 .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Solution
We will use the Subtraction Property of Equality to isolate $x .$

Subtract 8 from both sides.

Simplify.

Since $x = 9$ makes $x + 8 = 17$ a true statement, we know $9$ is the solution to the equation.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Solve:

$x + 6 = 19$

How did it go?

PreviousSolving Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 2.30 Next Solving Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 2.32

From Prealgebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 2.3, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.