Equation Solver
Solve any equation for x and see every step — from simple linear equations to polynomials and trig equations.
Press Enter to solve · ^ for powers · sqrt() for roots · separate a system with a comma
The MathSolverr equation solver finds the value of the unknown in an equation and shows how it got there. Type the equation with an equals sign, press Enter, and you get the solution, numbered steps, a check and a graph of where the equation crosses zero.
How to use the equation solver
- Type your equation, for example
3(x - 2) = 2x + 7. - Press Solve or Enter.
- Read the steps. The last step substitutes the answer back into the equation to prove it works.
Want to solve for a different letter? Add “for y” at the end: 2x + 3y = 12 for y.
Which equations can it solve?
- Linear equations —
5x - 2 = 3x + 8 - Quadratic equations —
x^2 + 4x - 5 = 0(see the quadratic solver) - Polynomial equations —
x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6 = 0 - Exponential equations —
2^x = 8 - Trigonometric equations —
sin(x) = 0.5 - Literal equations —
A = l*w for w
How to solve a linear equation by hand
A linear equation has the variable only to the first power. The goal is to get x alone on one side by doing the same operation to both sides.
- Expand brackets: 3(x − 2) = 2x + 7 becomes 3x − 6 = 2x + 7.
- Move x terms to one side: 3x − 2x = 7 + 6.
- Simplify: x = 13.
- Check: 3(13 − 2) = 33 and 2(13) + 7 = 33 ✓
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to multiply every term inside the brackets.
- Changing the sign of a term when moving it across the equals sign — and then changing it again.
- Dividing only one term by the coefficient instead of the whole side.
Questions about solving equations
What does “solve for x” mean?
It means finding every value of x that makes the left side of the equation equal to the right side. Those values are called solutions or roots.
Can an equation have no solution?
Yes. For example x + 1 = x + 2 has no solution, because no number makes 1 equal 2. An equation like 2x + 2 = 2(x + 1) is true for all real numbers.
Why are some answers shown with ≈?
Some equations, such as trig or mixed exponential equations, have no simple exact form. The solver then finds the roots numerically and marks them as approximate.