Solve 10x − 2 = −42

The solution of 10x − 2 = −42 is x = -4.

10x - 2 = -42\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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The lines y = 10x − 2 and y = -42 meet at x = -4. The solution of the equation is the x-coordinate of the point where the two sides are equal.

How to work it out

1
The goal is to get x alone. Undo the operations in the opposite order: first the subtraction, then the multiplication.
$10x - 2 = -42$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$10x - 2 + 2 = -42 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = -40$
3
Divide both sides by 10:
$\frac{10x}{10} = \frac{-40}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$10\cdot(-4) - 2 = -40 - 2 = -42 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 10x - 2 = -42\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 10x - 2 = -42 \]
\[ 10x - 2 + 2 = -42 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = -40 \]
\[ \frac{10x}{10} = \frac{-40}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 10\cdot(-4) - 2 = -40 - 2 = -42 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 10x − 2 = −42

x	10x − 2	Equals -42?
-6	-62	no
-5	-52	no
-4	-42	yes
-3	-32	no
-2	-22	no

Questions

What is x in 10x − 2 = −42?

The solution of 10x − 2 = −42 is x = -4.

How do you solve 10x − 2 = −42?

Add 2 to both sides to get 10x = -40, then divide both sides by 10 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 10(-4) − 2 = -42, which is -42.

Solve 10x − 2 = −42

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 10x − 2 = −42

Questions

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