Solve 2x ā 5 = ā11
The solution of 2x ā 5 = ā11 is x = -3.
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.
- 2
Add 5 to both sides:
- 3
Divide both sides by 2:
- 4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ 2x - 5 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 2x - 5 = -11 \]
\[ 2x - 5 + 5 = -11 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -6 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-3) - 5 = -6 - 5 = -11 \checkmark \]Trying values of x in 2x ā 5 = ā11
| x | 2x ā 5 | Equals -11? |
|---|---|---|
| -5 | -15 | no |
| -4 | -13 | no |
| -3 | -11 | yes |
| -2 | -9 | no |
| -1 | -7 | no |
Questions
What is x in 2x ā 5 = ā11?
The solution of 2x ā 5 = ā11 is x = -3.
How do you solve 2x ā 5 = ā11?
Add 5 to both sides to get 2x = -6, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -3.
How do I check the answer?
Replace x by -3: 2(-3) ā 5 = -11, which is -11.