Solve 2x − 8 = −20

The solution of 2x − 8 = −20 is x = -6.

2x - 8 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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The lines y = 2x − 8 and y = -20 meet at x = -6. 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.
$2x - 8 = -20$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$2x - 8 + 8 = -20 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-12}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-6) - 8 = -12 - 8 = -20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 8 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 2x - 8 = -20 \]
\[ 2x - 8 + 8 = -20 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-12}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-6) - 8 = -12 - 8 = -20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −20

x	2x − 8	Equals -20?
-8	-24	no
-7	-22	no
-6	-20	yes
-5	-18	no
-4	-16	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 8 = −20?

The solution of 2x − 8 = −20 is x = -6.

How do you solve 2x − 8 = −20?

Add 8 to both sides to get 2x = -12, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 2(-6) − 8 = -20, which is -20.

Solve 2x − 8 = −20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −20

Questions

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