Solve 2x − 15 = −23

The solution of 2x − 15 = −23 is x = -4.

2x - 15 = -23\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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

The lines y = 2x − 15 and y = -23 meet at x = -4. 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.
$2x - 15 = -23$
2
Add 15 to both sides:
$2x - 15 + 15 = -23 + 15 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -8$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-8}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-4) - 15 = -8 - 15 = -23 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 15 = -23\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 2x - 15 = -23 \]
\[ 2x - 15 + 15 = -23 + 15 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -8 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-8}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-4) - 15 = -8 - 15 = -23 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 15 = −23

x	2x − 15	Equals -23?
-6	-27	no
-5	-25	no
-4	-23	yes
-3	-21	no
-2	-19	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 15 = −23?

The solution of 2x − 15 = −23 is x = -4.

How do you solve 2x − 15 = −23?

Add 15 to both sides to get 2x = -8, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 2(-4) − 15 = -23, which is -23.

Solve 2x − 15 = −23

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 15 = −23

Questions

Similar equations