Solve 2x − 3 = −13

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

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −13

x	2x − 3	Equals -13?
-7	-17	no
-6	-15	no
-5	-13	yes
-4	-11	no
-3	-9	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 3 = −13?

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

How do you solve 2x − 3 = −13?

Add 3 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) − 3 = -13, which is -13.

Solve 2x − 3 = −13

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −13

Questions

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