Solve x/4 − 3 = 2 (Step by Step)

How to solve the two-step equation x/4 − 3 = 2, where x is divided by 4, with every step explained and a quick check of the answer.

Here x is divided by 4 and then has 3 taken away. Undo them in reverse order: add the 3 back first, then undo the divide by 4 by multiplying by 4.

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Step-by-step solution

Solve x/4 − 3 = 2

Start with the equation: x/4 − 3 = 2.
Add 3 to both sides to undo the − 3: x/4 − 3 + 3 = 2 + 3, so x/4 = 5.
Multiply both sides by 4 to undo the ÷ 4: (x/4) × 4 = 5 × 4, so x = 20.
Check your answer: put x = 20 back in. 20/4 − 3 = 5 − 3 = 2. Both sides match, so x = 20 is correct. ✓

Answer: x = 20

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Multiply by 4. Multiplying and dividing undo each other, so (x/4) × 4 is just x.

The 3 was taken away last, so it is undone first. If you multiply by 4 first, you must multiply every term: x − 12 = 8, which still gives x = 20.

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