Solve 2x − 9 = −3

The solution of 2x − 9 = −3 is x = 3.

2x - 9 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3

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The lines y = 2x − 9 and y = -3 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.
$2x - 9 = -3$
2
Add 9 to both sides:
$2x - 9 + 9 = -3 + 9 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3$
4
Check: put x = 3 back into the equation.
$2\cdot3 - 9 = 6 - 9 = -3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 9 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2x - 9 = -3 \]
\[ 2x - 9 + 9 = -3 + 9 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2\cdot3 - 9 = 6 - 9 = -3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 9 = −3

x	2x − 9	Equals -3?
1	-7	no
2	-5	no
3	-3	yes
4	-1	no
5	1	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 9 = −3?

The solution of 2x − 9 = −3 is x = 3.

How do you solve 2x − 9 = −3?

Add 9 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) − 9 = -3, which is -3.

Solve 2x − 9 = −3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 9 = −3

Questions

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