a) \( 2 x=18 \)

To solve \( 2x = 18 \), you start by dividing both sides by 2. This gives you \( x = 9 \). Easy peasy! Now you have found the value of \( x \) which satisfies the equation, showing that sometimes the simplest steps lead to clarity in math! Many everyday scenarios involve solving for an unknown, much like this equation. For instance, if you were budgeting your monthly spending and knew your total expenses amounted to $18, you could use this approach to determine how much you can afford to spend on different items, establishing a clear financial target.