Question

Solve for x: 2x - 5 = 3(x + 1)

• A. 0
• B. 1
• C. 2
• D. 3

Hint:

If your calculated answer for an algebra problem isn't in the options, double-check your work first. If your work is correct, suspect a typo in the question, often a plus/minus sign. You can test the given options to see which one might work if the equation were slightly different.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a basic linear algebra problem where we need to solve for the variable \(x\).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The given equation is \(2x - 5 = 3(x + 1)\).
Solving this equation step-by-step:
\[ 2x - 5 = 3x + 3 \] \[ -5 - 3 = 3x - 2x \] \[ -8 = x \] The calculated value is \(x = -8\), which is not among the options. This suggests there is a typo in the question as presented in the exam paper. A common typo is a sign error. Let's assume the equation was intended to be \(2x + 5 = 3(x + 1)\):
\[ 2x + 5 = 3(x + 1) \] \[ 2x + 5 = 3x + 3 \] \[ 5 - 3 = 3x - 2x \] \[ 2 = x \] This result, \(x=2\), matches option (C). Given the multiple-choice format, it is highly probable this was the intended equation.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Assuming the intended equation was \(2x + 5 = 3(x + 1)\), the value of \(x\) is 2. This corresponds to option (C).