If 3x − 2 = 0, what is x?

If 3x − 2 = 0, what is x?

• A. 0
• B. 2/3
• C. 1
• D. 3/2

Answer: (B)

Solving a linear equation means undoing the operations on x to isolate it. In 3x − 2 = 0, x is first multiplied by 3 and then 2 is subtracted. Undo the subtraction by adding 2 to both sides: 3x = 2. Then undo the multiplication by dividing both sides by 3: x = 2/3. Dividing both sides by the same nonzero number preserves equality and leaves x by itself. The value x = 2/3 satisfies the equation, since 3*(2/3) − 2 = 2 − 2 = 0.

Solving a linear equation means undoing the operations on x to isolate it. In 3x − 2 = 0, x is first multiplied by 3 and then 2 is subtracted. Undo the subtraction by adding 2 to both sides: 3x = 2. Then undo the multiplication by dividing both sides by 3: x = 2/3. Dividing both sides by the same nonzero number preserves equality and leaves x by itself. The value x = 2/3 satisfies the equation, since 3*(2/3) − 2 = 2 − 2 = 0.