1. **State the problem:** Solve the linear equation $2x + 3 = 5$ for $x$. 2. **Formula and rules:** To solve for $x$, isolate $x$ on one side of the equation by performing inverse operations. 3. **Step-by-step solution:** - Subtract 3 from both sides: $$2x + 3 - 3 = 5 - 3$$ $$2x = 2$$ - Divide both sides by 2: $$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{2}{2}$$ $$x = 1$$ 4. **Explanation:** We first removed the constant term 3 by subtracting it from both sides to keep the equation balanced. Then, we divided both sides by the coefficient of $x$, which is 2, to isolate $x$. The solution is $x = 1$. **Final answer:** $x = 1$