Variables on both sides
The question
10x + 13 = 12x + 3
10x + 13 = 12x + 3
10x + 13=12x + 3
10x + 13 = 12x + 3
13 = 2x + 3
2x + 3 = 13
2x + 3=13
2x + 3=13
2x=10
2x=10
x=5
10x + 13 = 12x + 3
63 = 63✓
- This one has x on both sides, so collect the x terms first.
- Take 10x off both sides. That clears x from the left, leaving 13 = 2x + 3. Swap the sides so x is on the left: 2x + 3 = 13.
- Two things were done to x: multiplied by 2, then 3 added. Undo them in reverse order — whatever happened last comes off first.
- The 3 went on last, so it comes off first — from both sides, to keep them equal. 13 − 3 = 10.
- That leaves 2x, so divide both sides by 2: 10 ÷ 2 = 5.
- Check by putting it back into the original, both sides: 10(5) + 13 = 63, and 12(5) + 3 = 63 — both 63, so x = 5.
How it works.
- 01
This one has x on both sides, so collect the x terms first.
- 02
Take 10x off both sides. That clears x from the left, leaving 13 = 2x + 3. Swap the sides so x is on the left: 2x + 3 = 13.
- 03
Two things were done to x: multiplied by 2, then 3 added. Undo them in reverse order — whatever happened last comes off first.
- 04
The 3 went on last, so it comes off first — from both sides, to keep them equal. 13 − 3 = 10.
- 05
That leaves 2x, so divide both sides by 2: 10 ÷ 2 = 5.
- 06
Check by putting it back into the original, both sides: 10(5) + 13 = 63, and 12(5) + 3 = 63 — both 63, so x = 5.