Solve 3x – 5 < 16

The question is asking you to isolate, or find out what 'x' is in relation to the equation. Don't be confused by the less than sign '<'. Treat it like an equals sign '='. 3x - 5 =16.

So let's get the x by itself. First of all, let's get rid of '- 5', by adding '+' 5 "(-5 + 5 = 0)". Keeping this rule in mind - Whatever you do on one side of the equals sign, you must to do to the other side. 

"3x - 5 (+ 5) = 16 (+5)"

3x = 21 - There, we have a simpler version.

To isolate the 'x' further, we now must remove 3. We do this by dividing 3x by 3. And remember whatever you do on one side of the equals sign, you must do to the other side. Therefore, if you are dividing 3x by 3, you have to divde 21 by 3 also.

"3x/3 = 21/3";

Therefore: x = 7

We are almost finished. Remember to look at the question again, Solve 3x – 5 < 16. Remember we said we can treat the less than sign '<' and equals to sign '=', just to help us. We can't leave the answer as x=7. We must put back the original sign. So our completed answer is: x < 7