Solve 2x − 3 = −7

The solution of 2x − 3 = −7 is x = -2.

2x - 3 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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

The lines y = 2x − 3 and y = -7 meet at x = -2. 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.
$2x - 3 = -7$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$2x - 3 + 3 = -7 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -4$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-2) - 3 = -4 - 3 = -7 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 3 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2x - 3 = -7 \]
\[ 2x - 3 + 3 = -7 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -4 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-2) - 3 = -4 - 3 = -7 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −7

x	2x − 3	Equals -7?
-4	-11	no
-3	-9	no
-2	-7	yes
-1	-5	no
0	-3	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 3 = −7?

The solution of 2x − 3 = −7 is x = -2.

How do you solve 2x − 3 = −7?

Add 3 to both sides to get 2x = -4, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 2(-2) − 3 = -7, which is -7.

Solve 2x − 3 = −7

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −7

Questions

Similar equations