Solve 2x + 3 = −9

The solution of 2x + 3 = −9 is x = -6.

2x + 3 = -9\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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The lines y = 2x + 3 and y = -9 meet at x = -6. 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.
$2x + 3 = -9$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$2x + 3 - 3 = -9 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-12}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-6) + 3 = -12 + 3 = -9 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x + 3 = -9\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 2x + 3 = -9 \]
\[ 2x + 3 - 3 = -9 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-12}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-6) + 3 = -12 + 3 = -9 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −9

x	2x + 3	Equals -9?
-8	-13	no
-7	-11	no
-6	-9	yes
-5	-7	no
-4	-5	no

Questions

What is x in 2x + 3 = −9?

The solution of 2x + 3 = −9 is x = -6.

How do you solve 2x + 3 = −9?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x = -12, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 2(-6) + 3 = -9, which is -9.

Solve 2x + 3 = −9

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −9

Questions

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