Solve 3x − 14 = −41

The solution of 3x − 14 = −41 is x = -9.

3x - 14 = -41\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 3x − 14 and y = -41 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.
$3x - 14 = -41$
2
Add 14 to both sides:
$3x - 14 + 14 = -41 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -27$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-9) - 14 = -27 - 14 = -41 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 14 = -41\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 3x - 14 = -41 \]
\[ 3x - 14 + 14 = -41 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -27 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-9) - 14 = -27 - 14 = -41 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 14 = −41

x	3x − 14	Equals -41?
-11	-47	no
-10	-44	no
-9	-41	yes
-8	-38	no
-7	-35	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 14 = −41?

The solution of 3x − 14 = −41 is x = -9.

How do you solve 3x − 14 = −41?

Add 14 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) − 14 = -41, which is -41.

Solve 3x − 14 = −41

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 14 = −41

Questions

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