x + 36 – 36 = 40 – 36, which means that x = 4Now check it by substituting 4 for x in the original expression:
Examples:
- 12x = 24
Divide both sides by 12 to get x = 2. - 3x + 4 = 28
Subtract 4 from both sides to get 3x = 24.
Divide both sides by 3 to get x = 8. - Solve for fish:
3 (fish + grapefruit) = college Divide both sides by 3:Subtract grapefruit from both sides:Interpret this how you will. All I can say is I went fishing with lots of grapefruit, and look where I am today . . .
—SamanthaNumber 3 was a moronic question, you might say to yourself. Yes. It was. But
they ask similar questions on the SAT just to see if you know these rules. They
might use x, y, and z more than they use fish and grapefruit, but it’s the same
basic idea.