1. The problem is to solve a typical first-year IPE (Integrated Professional Education) algebra question, for example, solving a linear equation. 2. Consider the equation $3x + 5 = 20$. The goal is to find the value of $x$. 3. The formula used here is to isolate $x$ by performing inverse operations. Important rules: - Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. - Multiplication and division are inverse operations. 4. Start by subtracting 5 from both sides: $$3x + 5 - 5 = 20 - 5$$ $$3x = 15$$ 5. Next, divide both sides by 3 to solve for $x$: $$\frac{\cancel{3}x}{\cancel{3}} = \frac{15}{3}$$ $$x = 5$$ 6. Therefore, the solution to the equation $3x + 5 = 20$ is $x = 5$. This method applies to many linear equations in IPE first-year algebra problems.