Solve 2x + 3 = −5

The solution of 2x + 3 = −5 is x = -4.

2x + 3 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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The lines y = 2x + 3 and y = -5 meet at x = -4. 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.
$2x + 3 = -5$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$2x + 3 - 3 = -5 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -8$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-8}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-4) + 3 = -8 + 3 = -5 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x + 3 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 2x + 3 = -5 \]
\[ 2x + 3 - 3 = -5 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -8 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-8}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-4) + 3 = -8 + 3 = -5 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −5

x	2x + 3	Equals -5?
-6	-9	no
-5	-7	no
-4	-5	yes
-3	-3	no
-2	-1	no

Questions

What is x in 2x + 3 = −5?

The solution of 2x + 3 = −5 is x = -4.

How do you solve 2x + 3 = −5?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x = -8, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 2(-4) + 3 = -5, which is -5.

Solve 2x + 3 = −5

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −5

Questions

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