Solve 2x + 3 = −7

The solution of 2x + 3 = −7 is x = -5.

2x + 3 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 2x + 3 and y = -7 meet at x = -5. 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.
$2x + 3 = -7$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$2x + 3 - 3 = -7 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-5) + 3 = -10 + 3 = -7 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x + 3 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2x + 3 = -7 \]
\[ 2x + 3 - 3 = -7 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-5) + 3 = -10 + 3 = -7 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −7

x	2x + 3	Equals -7?
-7	-11	no
-6	-9	no
-5	-7	yes
-4	-5	no
-3	-3	no

Questions

What is x in 2x + 3 = −7?

The solution of 2x + 3 = −7 is x = -5.

How do you solve 2x + 3 = −7?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x = -10, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 2(-5) + 3 = -7, which is -7.

Solve 2x + 3 = −7

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −7

Questions

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