Solve (x − 3)/5 = 2 (Step by Step)

How to solve the two-step equation (x − 3)/5 = 2, where x − 3 is divided by 5, with every step explained and a quick check of the answer.

Here 3 is taken away from x first, and then the whole thing is divided by 5. Undo them in reverse order: undo the divide by 5 by multiplying by 5, then add the 3 back.

Try a similar equation

Type your own problem on the homepage and see every step. 5 free questions, no sign-up.

Try 5 free questions →

Step-by-step solution

Solve (x − 3)/5 = 2

Start with the equation: (x − 3)/5 = 2.
Multiply both sides by 5 to undo the ÷ 5: ((x − 3)/5) × 5 = 2 × 5, so x − 3 = 10.
Add 3 to both sides to undo the − 3: x − 3 + 3 = 10 + 3, so x = 13.
Check your answer: put x = 13 back in. (13 − 3)/5 = 10/5 = 2. Both sides match, so x = 13 is correct. ✓

Answer: x = 13

Try your own problem free →

Type any math problem and Layla shows every step.

Frequently asked questions

Why multiply by 5 first?

The brackets mean the whole x − 3 is divided by 5. Dividing happened last, so it is undone first: multiply both sides by 5 to get x − 3 = 10.

Why add 3 instead of subtracting it?

The equation takes 3 away from x. Adding 3 undoes that, so the − 3 and + 3 cancel and leave x by itself.

Keep practicing

Stuck on a different problem? Ask Algegram and get every step explained. Your first 5 questions are free, no sign-up needed.

Ask my math question →