Solve (x − 2)/4 = 5 (Step by Step)

How to solve the two-step equation (x − 2)/4 = 5, where x − 2 is divided by 4, with every step explained and a quick check of the answer.

Here 2 is taken away from x first, and then the whole thing is divided by 4. Undo them in reverse order: undo the divide by 4 by multiplying by 4, then add the 2 back.

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Step-by-step solution

Solve (x − 2)/4 = 5

Start with the equation: (x − 2)/4 = 5.
Multiply both sides by 4 to undo the ÷ 4: ((x − 2)/4) × 4 = 5 × 4, so x − 2 = 20.
Add 2 to both sides to undo the − 2: x − 2 + 2 = 20 + 2, so x = 22.
Check your answer: put x = 22 back in. (22 − 2)/4 = 20/4 = 5. Both sides match, so x = 22 is correct. ✓

Answer: x = 22

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Frequently asked questions

Why multiply by 4 first?

The brackets mean the whole x − 2 is divided by 4. Dividing happened last, so it is undone first: multiply both sides by 4 to get x − 2 = 20.

Why add 2 instead of subtracting it?

The equation takes 2 away from x. Adding 2 undoes that, so the − 2 and + 2 cancel and leave x by itself.

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