Solve 11x − 5 = −38

The solution of 11x − 5 = −38 is x = -3.

11x - 5 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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The lines y = 11x − 5 and y = -38 meet at x = -3. 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.
$11x - 5 = -38$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$11x - 5 + 5 = -38 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 11x = -33$
3
Divide both sides by 11:
$\frac{11x}{11} = \frac{-33}{11} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$11\cdot(-3) - 5 = -33 - 5 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 11x - 5 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 11x - 5 = -38 \]
\[ 11x - 5 + 5 = -38 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 11x = -33 \]
\[ \frac{11x}{11} = \frac{-33}{11} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 11\cdot(-3) - 5 = -33 - 5 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 11x − 5 = −38

x	11x − 5	Equals -38?
-5	-60	no
-4	-49	no
-3	-38	yes
-2	-27	no
-1	-16	no

Questions

What is x in 11x − 5 = −38?

The solution of 11x − 5 = −38 is x = -3.

How do you solve 11x − 5 = −38?

Add 5 to both sides to get 11x = -33, then divide both sides by 11 to get x = -3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -3: 11(-3) − 5 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 11x − 5 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 11x − 5 = −38

Questions

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