Solve 2x − 13 = −3

The solution of 2x − 13 = −3 is x = 5.

2x - 13 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5

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

The lines y = 2x − 13 and y = -3 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.
$2x - 13 = -3$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$2x - 13 + 13 = -3 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5$
4
Check: put x = 5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot5 - 13 = 10 - 13 = -3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 13 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 2x - 13 = -3 \]
\[ 2x - 13 + 13 = -3 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 2\cdot5 - 13 = 10 - 13 = -3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 13 = −3

x	2x − 13	Equals -3?
3	-7	no
4	-5	no
5	-3	yes
6	-1	no
7	1	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 13 = −3?

The solution of 2x − 13 = −3 is x = 5.

How do you solve 2x − 13 = −3?

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 = -3, which is -3.

Solve 2x − 13 = −3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 13 = −3

Questions

Similar equations