Solve 3x − 13 = −37

The solution of 3x − 13 = −37 is x = -8.

3x - 13 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 3x − 13 and y = -37 meet at x = -8. 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.
$3x - 13 = -37$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$3x - 13 + 13 = -37 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-8) - 13 = -24 - 13 = -37 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 13 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3x - 13 = -37 \]
\[ 3x - 13 + 13 = -37 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-8) - 13 = -24 - 13 = -37 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 13 = −37

x	3x − 13	Equals -37?
-10	-43	no
-9	-40	no
-8	-37	yes
-7	-34	no
-6	-31	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 13 = −37?

The solution of 3x − 13 = −37 is x = -8.

How do you solve 3x − 13 = −37?

Add 13 to both sides to get 3x = -24, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 3(-8) − 13 = -37, which is -37.

Solve 3x − 13 = −37

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 13 = −37

Questions

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