Step by step
The question
Question: solve −3t + 2 = 14.
We want t by itself.
Two things are stuck to t: times −3 and + 2.
The + 2 is on the outside, so it comes off first.
Then the times −3.
1 Remove the + 2
To remove + 2, we take away 2.
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.
+ 2 and − 2 make zero.
Cross them out.
14 − 2 = 12.
Now we have −3t = 12.
2 Remove the −3
−3t means −3 times t.
We want just t.
To remove times −3, we divide by −3.
We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.
−3 divided by −3 is 1.
So just t is left.
12 divided by −3 is −4.
So t = −4!
3 Check
Let's check: put −4 in place of t.
We get 14, the same as the right side.
So t = −4 is right!
Let's look back.
First: remove the + 2.
Then: remove the −3.
Last: check.