16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardConstant from a known solution

Algebra practice question

The equation 5x − 4 = 2x + b, where b is a constant, has the solution x = 3. What is the value of b?

Answer: 5

Substitute x = 3: 15 − 4 = 6 + b, so 11 = 6 + b and b = 5.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 11
11 is the left side, 5(3) − 4, before subtracting the 2x term.
If you answered 17
17 adds 6 to 11 instead of subtracting it.
If you answered -5
−5 has the wrong sign: 11 − 6 = 5.

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