Solve 5x − 8 = 27 (Step by Step)

How to solve the two-step equation 5x − 8 = 27, where x is multiplied by 5, with every step explained and a quick check of the answer.

Here x is multiplied by 5 and then 8 is taken away. Undo them in reverse order: add the 8 back first, then undo the times 5 by dividing by 5.

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Step-by-step solution

Solve 5x − 8 = 27

Start with the equation: 5x − 8 = 27.
Add 8 to both sides to undo the − 8: 5x − 8 + 8 = 27 + 8, so 5x = 35.
Divide both sides by 5 to undo the × 5: 5x ÷ 5 = 35 ÷ 5, so x = 7.
Check your answer: put x = 7 back in. 5 × 7 − 8 = 35 − 8 = 27. Both sides match, so x = 7 is correct. ✓

Answer: x = 7

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The equation takes 8 away from 5x. Adding 8 undoes that, so the − 8 and + 8 cancel and leave 5x by itself.

5x means 5 times x. To undo multiplying by 5, divide by 5.

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