Solve 5(n - 2) = 0

Step by step

The question

Question: solve 5(n − 2) = 0.

1 Remove the 5

The 5 multiplies the whole bracket.

Easy way: remove the 5 first.

To remove times 5, we divide by 5.

We do it on both sides.

Why both sides?

The = sign means both sides are the same amount.

If we change only one side, they are not the same any more.

5 divided by 5 is 1.

So just the bracket is left.

0 divided by 5 is 0.

Now we have n − 2 = 0.

We don't need the bracket any more.

2 Remove the − 2

We want n by itself.

The − 2 is in the way.

To remove − 2, we add 2.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

− 2 and + 2 make zero.

Cross them out.

0 + 2 = 2.

So n = 2!

3 Check

Let's check: put 2 in place of n.

We get 0, the same as the right side.

So n = 2 is right!

Let's look back.

First: remove the 5.

Then: remove the − 2.

Last: check.