If 9 - 2x = 25, what is the value of x? | SAT Linear equations in one variable Question, Answer Explained

Math · AlgebraEasy

If $9 - 2x = 25$ , what is the value of $x$ ?

$-17$

$-8$

$8$

$17$

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B

Subtract $9$ from both sides: $-2x = 16$ . Divide both sides by $-2$ : $x = -8$ .

Choice C comes from dividing $16$ by $2$ instead of $-2$ , which drops the negative sign.

Why the other choices are wrong

A. This divides 34 by -2, but 34 comes from adding 9 to 25. Subtract 9 from both sides instead.
C. This divides 16 by 2 instead of by -2, so the sign is wrong.
D. This adds 9 and 25 and divides by 2. The 9 should be subtracted, and the coefficient of x is -2.

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