Solve 2x − 13 = −23

The solution of 2x − 13 = −23 is x = -5.

2x - 13 = -23\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 2x − 13 and y = -23 meet at x = -5. 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.
$2x - 13 = -23$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$2x - 13 + 13 = -23 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-5) - 13 = -10 - 13 = -23 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 13 = -23\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2x - 13 = -23 \]
\[ 2x - 13 + 13 = -23 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-5) - 13 = -10 - 13 = -23 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 13 = −23

x	2x − 13	Equals -23?
-7	-27	no
-6	-25	no
-5	-23	yes
-4	-21	no
-3	-19	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 13 = −23?

The solution of 2x − 13 = −23 is x = -5.

How do you solve 2x − 13 = −23?

Add 13 to both sides to get 2x = -10, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 2(-5) − 13 = -23, which is -23.

Solve 2x − 13 = −23

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 13 = −23

Questions

Similar equations