Solve 2x − 5 = −15

The solution of 2x − 5 = −15 is x = -5.

2x - 5 = -15\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 2x − 5 and y = -15 meet at x = -5. 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.
$2x - 5 = -15$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$2x - 5 + 5 = -15 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-5) - 5 = -10 - 5 = -15 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 5 = -15\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2x - 5 = -15 \]
\[ 2x - 5 + 5 = -15 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-5) - 5 = -10 - 5 = -15 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 5 = −15

x	2x − 5	Equals -15?
-7	-19	no
-6	-17	no
-5	-15	yes
-4	-13	no
-3	-11	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 5 = −15?

The solution of 2x − 5 = −15 is x = -5.

How do you solve 2x − 5 = −15?

Add 5 to both sides to get 2x = -10, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 2(-5) − 5 = -15, which is -15.

Solve 2x − 5 = −15

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 5 = −15

Questions

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