In algebra, how do you solve for x in 3x + 7 = 2x - 5?

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Multiple Choice

In algebra, how do you solve for x in 3x + 7 = 2x - 5?

Explanation:
Isolating the variable by moving terms around lets you solve this equation. Start with 3x + 7 = 2x - 5. Subtract 2x from both sides to bring the x terms together: x + 7 = -5. Then subtract 7 from both sides to isolate x: x = -12. The solution is -12, which you can verify by substitution: 3(-12) + 7 = -36 + 7 = -29 and 2(-12) - 5 = -24 - 5 = -29, so both sides match. The other values don’t satisfy the equation, since substituting them doesn’t balance the two sides.

Isolating the variable by moving terms around lets you solve this equation. Start with 3x + 7 = 2x - 5. Subtract 2x from both sides to bring the x terms together: x + 7 = -5. Then subtract 7 from both sides to isolate x: x = -12. The solution is -12, which you can verify by substitution: 3(-12) + 7 = -36 + 7 = -29 and 2(-12) - 5 = -24 - 5 = -29, so both sides match. The other values don’t satisfy the equation, since substituting them doesn’t balance the two sides.

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