Solve (x + 7)/3 = 5 (Step by Step)

How to solve the two-step equation (x + 7)/3 = 5, where x + 7 is divided by 3, with every step explained and a quick check of the answer.

Here 7 is added to x first, and then the whole thing is divided by 3. Undo them in reverse order: undo the divide by 3 by multiplying by 3, then take away the 7.

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Step-by-step solution

Solve (x + 7)/3 = 5

Start with the equation: (x + 7)/3 = 5.
Multiply both sides by 3 to undo the ÷ 3: ((x + 7)/3) × 3 = 5 × 3, so x + 7 = 15.
Subtract 7 from both sides to undo the + 7: x + 7 − 7 = 15 − 7, so x = 8.
Check your answer: put x = 8 back in. (8 + 7)/3 = 15/3 = 5. Both sides match, so x = 8 is correct. ✓

Answer: x = 8

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Frequently asked questions

Why multiply by 3 first?

The brackets mean the whole x + 7 is divided by 3. Dividing happened last, so it is undone first: multiply both sides by 3 to get x + 7 = 15.

Why subtract 7 instead of adding it?

The equation adds 7 to x. Subtracting 7 undoes that, so the + 7 and − 7 cancel and leave x by itself.

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