Solve for x 3x-5=16

$3 x - 5 = 16$

Step 1

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Add $5$ to both sides of the equation.

$3 x = 16 + 5$

Add $16$ and $5$ .

$3 x = 21$

Step 2

Divide each term in $3 x = 21$ by $3$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $3 x = 21$ by $3$ .

$\frac{3 x}{3} = \frac{21}{3}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{3 x}{3} = \frac{21}{3}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{21}{3}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $21$ by $3$ .

$x = 7$