Solve 2x − 7 = −17

The solution of 2x − 7 = −17 is x = -5.

2x - 7 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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

The lines y = 2x − 7 and y = -17 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.
$2x - 7 = -17$
2
Add 7 to both sides:
$2x - 7 + 7 = -17 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-5) - 7 = -10 - 7 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 7 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2x - 7 = -17 \]
\[ 2x - 7 + 7 = -17 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-5) - 7 = -10 - 7 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 7 = −17

x	2x − 7	Equals -17?
-7	-21	no
-6	-19	no
-5	-17	yes
-4	-15	no
-3	-13	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 7 = −17?

The solution of 2x − 7 = −17 is x = -5.

How do you solve 2x − 7 = −17?

Add 7 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) − 7 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 2x − 7 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 7 = −17

Questions

Similar equations