Three difficulty levels of solve-for-x problems. Level 1: one-step. Level 2: two-step. Level 3: brackets and fractions.
You try
Solve for x: 3x − 5 = 16
Three levels
- Level 1 — one-step: x + 7 = 12, or 4x = 20.
- Level 2 — two-step: 3x − 5 = 16, or x/2 + 1 = 6.
- Level 3 — brackets and fractions: 2(x − 3) = 10, or (x + 1)/3 = 4.
- Golden rule: do the same thing to both sides and the equation stays balanced.
Your turn
Quick warm-up: solve 2(x − 3) = 10.