Simple algebra problem, what am I doing wrong?

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SUMMARY

The algebra problem presented involves solving the equation (x+2)-(3x-2)=x+3. The correct simplification leads to the second line being -2x + 4 = x + 3, which reveals the error in the initial calculation where 2x was incorrectly derived. The accurate solution to the equation is x = 1/3, as confirmed by Wolfram Alpha. The discussion highlights the importance of careful term management during algebraic manipulation.

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[tex](x+2)-(3x-2)=x+3[/tex]
[tex]2x+4=x+3[/tex]
[tex]x+4=3[/tex]
[tex]x=-1[/tex]

but wolfram says the answer is [itex]x=\frac{1}{3}[/itex]

I can't see where I went wrong.
 
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The second line is ##-2x + 4 = x + 3##.
##x - 3x = -2x##, not ##2x##.
 
LastOneStanding said:
The second line is ##-2x + 4 = x + 3##.
##x - 3x = -2x##, not ##2x##.

oh, clumsy error from me. Thanks.
 

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