Solve 2x + 4 = −2

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

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x + 4 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 2x + 4 = -2 \]
\[ 2x + 4 - 4 = -2 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -6 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-3) + 4 = -6 + 4 = -2 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x + 4 = −2

x	2x + 4	Equals -2?
-5	-6	no
-4	-4	no
-3	-2	yes
-2	0	no
-1	2	no

Questions

What is x in 2x + 4 = −2?

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

How do you solve 2x + 4 = −2?

Subtract 4 from 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) + 4 = -2, which is -2.

Solve 2x + 4 = −2

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x + 4 = −2

Questions

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