Solve for x: 2x - 7 = 3x + 5. What is x?

Solve for x: 2x - 7 = 3x + 5. What is x?

• A. 7
• B. 12
• C. -12
• D. -7

Answer: (C)

Solving for x involves isolating the variable by moving terms so x stands alone. Start with 2x − 7 = 3x + 5. To get the x terms on one side, subtract 2x from both sides, giving −7 = x + 5. Then isolate x by subtracting 5 from both sides, which yields x = −12. Quick check: plugging in −12 gives 2(−12) − 7 = −24 − 7 = −31 and 3(−12) + 5 = −36 + 5 = −31, so both sides match. The solution is x = −12.

Solving for x involves isolating the variable by moving terms so x stands alone. Start with 2x − 7 = 3x + 5. To get the x terms on one side, subtract 2x from both sides, giving −7 = x + 5. Then isolate x by subtracting 5 from both sides, which yields x = −12. Quick check: plugging in −12 gives 2(−12) − 7 = −24 − 7 = −31 and 3(−12) + 5 = −36 + 5 = −31, so both sides match. The solution is x = −12.