Quote (Indent @ May 14 2013 11:56pm)
The answer is 2, and the solution is to subtract 2 from both sides of the equation to isolate x.
Here are a couple rules for manipulation equations:
RULE #1: you can add, subtract, multiply and divide by anything, as long as you do the same thing to both sides of the equals sign. In an equation, the equals sign acts like the fulcrum of a balance: if you add 5 of something to one side of the balance, you have to add the same amount to the other side to keep the balance steady. The same thing goes for an equation - doing the same operation to both sides keeps the meaning of the equation from changing.
RULE #2: to move or cancel a quantity or variable on one side of the equation, perform the "opposite" operation with it on both sides of the equation. For example if you had g-1=w and wanted to isolate g, add 1 to both sides (g-1+1 = w+1). Simplify (because (-1+1)=0) and end up with g = w+1.
I like you.