Solve 2x − 4 = −16

The solution of 2x − 4 = −16 is x = -6.

2x - 4 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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The lines y = 2x − 4 and y = -16 meet at x = -6. 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.
$2x - 4 = -16$
2
Add 4 to both sides:
$2x - 4 + 4 = -16 + 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-12}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-6) - 4 = -12 - 4 = -16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 4 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 2x - 4 = -16 \]
\[ 2x - 4 + 4 = -16 + 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-12}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-6) - 4 = -12 - 4 = -16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 4 = −16

x	2x − 4	Equals -16?
-8	-20	no
-7	-18	no
-6	-16	yes
-5	-14	no
-4	-12	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 4 = −16?

The solution of 2x − 4 = −16 is x = -6.

How do you solve 2x − 4 = −16?

Add 4 to both sides to get 2x = -12, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 2(-6) − 4 = -16, which is -16.

Solve 2x − 4 = −16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 4 = −16

Questions

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