Solve 2x − 3 = −21

The solution of 2x − 3 = −21 is x = -9.

2x - 3 = -21\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 2x − 3 and y = -21 meet at x = -9. 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.
$2x - 3 = -21$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$2x - 3 + 3 = -21 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -18$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-18}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-9) - 3 = -18 - 3 = -21 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 3 = -21\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 2x - 3 = -21 \]
\[ 2x - 3 + 3 = -21 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -18 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-18}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-9) - 3 = -18 - 3 = -21 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −21

x	2x − 3	Equals -21?
-11	-25	no
-10	-23	no
-9	-21	yes
-8	-19	no
-7	-17	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 3 = −21?

The solution of 2x − 3 = −21 is x = -9.

How do you solve 2x − 3 = −21?

Add 3 to both sides to get 2x = -18, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 2(-9) − 3 = -21, which is -21.

Solve 2x − 3 = −21

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −21

Questions

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