Solve 2x − 14 = −4

The solution of 2x − 14 = −4 is x = 5.

2x - 14 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5

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The lines y = 2x − 14 and y = -4 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.
$2x - 14 = -4$
2
Add 14 to both sides:
$2x - 14 + 14 = -4 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5$
4
Check: put x = 5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot5 - 14 = 10 - 14 = -4 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 14 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 2x - 14 = -4 \]
\[ 2x - 14 + 14 = -4 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 2\cdot5 - 14 = 10 - 14 = -4 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 14 = −4

x	2x − 14	Equals -4?
3	-8	no
4	-6	no
5	-4	yes
6	-2	no
7	0	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 14 = −4?

The solution of 2x − 14 = −4 is x = 5.

How do you solve 2x − 14 = −4?

Add 14 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) − 14 = -4, which is -4.

Solve 2x − 14 = −4

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 14 = −4

Questions

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