Solve 2x − 4 = −2

The solution of 2x − 4 = −2 is x = 1.

2x - 4 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1

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The lines y = 2x − 4 and y = -2 meet at x = 1. 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.
$2x - 4 = -2$
2
Add 4 to both sides:
$2x - 4 + 4 = -2 + 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 2$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{2}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1$
4
Check: put x = 1 back into the equation.
$2\cdot1 - 4 = 2 - 4 = -2 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 4 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 2x - 4 = -2 \]
\[ 2x - 4 + 4 = -2 + 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 2 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{2}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 2\cdot1 - 4 = 2 - 4 = -2 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 4 = −2

x	2x − 4	Equals -2?
-1	-6	no
0	-4	no
1	-2	yes
2	0	no
3	2	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 4 = −2?

The solution of 2x − 4 = −2 is x = 1.

How do you solve 2x − 4 = −2?

Add 4 to both sides to get 2x = 2, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 1: 2(1) − 4 = -2, which is -2.

Solve 2x − 4 = −2

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 4 = −2

Questions

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