Solve: 3x + 4 = x + 12

In this algebraic problem, we are faced with two unknowns (x's) on both sides of the equation. Remember that what we do to one side, we must also do to the other side. So to tackle this, we will first focus on the x's involved in the question. In order to get the x's on one side, we will subtract the x on the right hand side, and therefore we will also do this to the right hand side: = 3x + 4 = x + 12 becomes 3x -x +4 = x - x +12 We are then left with this: = 2x + 4 = 12 We will now deal with the 4 on the left hand side of the equation. Again we will subtract this from both sides as shown below: = 2x + 4 - 4 = 12 - 4 becomes 2x = 8 = x = 8 / 2 and therefore the anser is: x = 4