Solve 2x − 8 = −2

The solution of 2x − 8 = −2 is x = 3.

2x - 8 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3

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The lines y = 2x − 8 and y = -2 meet at x = 3. 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.
$2x - 8 = -2$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$2x - 8 + 8 = -2 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3$
4
Check: put x = 3 back into the equation.
$2\cdot3 - 8 = 6 - 8 = -2 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 8 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2x - 8 = -2 \]
\[ 2x - 8 + 8 = -2 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2\cdot3 - 8 = 6 - 8 = -2 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −2

x	2x − 8	Equals -2?
1	-6	no
2	-4	no
3	-2	yes
4	0	no
5	2	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 8 = −2?

The solution of 2x − 8 = −2 is x = 3.

How do you solve 2x − 8 = −2?

Add 8 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) − 8 = -2, which is -2.

Solve 2x − 8 = −2

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −2

Questions

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