| x | − | x | ÷ | 2 | − | 1 | − | ( | x | − | x | ÷ | 2 | − | 1 | ) | ÷ | 2 | − | 1 | = | 3 |
| Left side of the equation = | 1 2 | x | − | 2 | − | ( | x | − | x | ÷ | 2 | − | 1 | ) | × | 1 2 |
1 2 | x | − | 2 | − | ( | x | − | x | ÷ | 2 | − | 1 | ) | × | 1 2 | = | 3 |
| Left side of the equation = | 1 2 | x | − | 2 | − | x | × | 1 2 | + | x | ÷ | 2 | × | 1 2 | + | 1 | × | 1 2 |
| = | 1 2 | x | − | 2 | − | x | × | 1 2 | + | x | × | 1 4 | + | 1 2 |
| = | 1 4 | x | − | 3 2 |
1 4 | x | − | 3 2 | = | 3 |
1 4 | x | = | 3 | + | 3 2 |
1 4 | x | = | 9 2 |
| x | = | 9 2 | ÷ | 1 4 |
| = | 9 2 | × | 4 |
| = | 9 | × | 2 |
| x | = | 18 |