Solve 3x − 11 = −38

The solution of 3x − 11 = −38 is x = -9.

3x - 11 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 3x − 11 and y = -38 meet at x = -9. 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 subtraction, then the multiplication.
$3x - 11 = -38$
2
Add 11 to both sides:
$3x - 11 + 11 = -38 + 11 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -27$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-9) - 11 = -27 - 11 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 11 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 3x - 11 = -38 \]
\[ 3x - 11 + 11 = -38 + 11 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -27 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-9) - 11 = -27 - 11 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 11 = −38

x	3x − 11	Equals -38?
-11	-44	no
-10	-41	no
-9	-38	yes
-8	-35	no
-7	-32	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 11 = −38?

The solution of 3x − 11 = −38 is x = -9.

How do you solve 3x − 11 = −38?

Add 11 to both sides to get 3x = -27, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 3(-9) − 11 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 3x − 11 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 11 = −38

Questions

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