Solve 2x + 3 = −13

The solution of 2x + 3 = −13 is x = -8.

2x + 3 = -13\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 2x + 3 and y = -13 meet at x = -8. 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$2x + 3 = -13$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$2x + 3 - 3 = -13 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -16$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-16}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-8) + 3 = -16 + 3 = -13 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x + 3 = -13\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 2x + 3 = -13 \]
\[ 2x + 3 - 3 = -13 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -16 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-16}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-8) + 3 = -16 + 3 = -13 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −13

x	2x + 3	Equals -13?
-10	-17	no
-9	-15	no
-8	-13	yes
-7	-11	no
-6	-9	no

Questions

What is x in 2x + 3 = −13?

The solution of 2x + 3 = −13 is x = -8.

How do you solve 2x + 3 = −13?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x = -16, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 2(-8) + 3 = -13, which is -13.

Solve 2x + 3 = −13

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −13

Questions

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