Solve 10x − 2 = −72

The solution of 10x − 2 = −72 is x = -7.

10x - 2 = -72\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 10x − 2 and y = -72 meet at x = -7. 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.
$10x - 2 = -72$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$10x - 2 + 2 = -72 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = -70$
3
Divide both sides by 10:
$\frac{10x}{10} = \frac{-70}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$10\cdot(-7) - 2 = -70 - 2 = -72 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 10x - 2 = -72\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 10x - 2 = -72 \]
\[ 10x - 2 + 2 = -72 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = -70 \]
\[ \frac{10x}{10} = \frac{-70}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 10\cdot(-7) - 2 = -70 - 2 = -72 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 10x − 2 = −72

x	10x − 2	Equals -72?
-9	-92	no
-8	-82	no
-7	-72	yes
-6	-62	no
-5	-52	no

Questions

What is x in 10x − 2 = −72?

The solution of 10x − 2 = −72 is x = -7.

How do you solve 10x − 2 = −72?

Add 2 to both sides to get 10x = -70, then divide both sides by 10 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 10(-7) − 2 = -72, which is -72.

Solve 10x − 2 = −72

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 10x − 2 = −72

Questions

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