Question

Find the value of the variable.

$3x=2x-17$

Short answer

The value of the variable is $\mathit{x}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{17}$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Subtract 2x.

First subtract 2x from both sides of the equation $3x=2x-17$.

$3x-\left(2x\right)=2x-17-\left(2x\right)$

Step 2. Combine the like terms.

To further simplify open the brackets and combine the like terms.

$\begin{array}{l}3x-2x=2x-2x-17\\ x=-17\end{array}$

Step 3. Verify the value.

In order to verify the value of x, substitute -17 for x into the equation $3x=2x-17$.

$\begin{array}{l}3\times \left(-17\right)=2\times \left(-17\right)-17\\ -51=-34-17\\ -51=-51\text{True}\end{array}$

Hence, the value of the variable is $x=-17$.