Solve 2x − 8 = −4

The solution of 2x − 8 = −4 is x = 2.

2x - 8 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = 2

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The lines y = 2x − 8 and y = -4 meet at x = 2. 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.
$2x - 8 = -4$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$2x - 8 + 8 = -4 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 4$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 2$
4
Check: put x = 2 back into the equation.
$2\cdot2 - 8 = 4 - 8 = -4 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 8 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = 2 \]
\[ 2x - 8 = -4 \]
\[ 2x - 8 + 8 = -4 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 4 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 2 \]
\[ 2\cdot2 - 8 = 4 - 8 = -4 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −4

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

Questions

What is x in 2x − 8 = −4?

The solution of 2x − 8 = −4 is x = 2.

How do you solve 2x − 8 = −4?

Add 8 to both sides to get 2x = 4, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 2: 2(2) − 8 = -4, which is -4.

Solve 2x − 8 = −4

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −4

Questions

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