Solve 3x − 15 = −3

The solution of 3x − 15 = −3 is x = 4.

3x - 15 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4

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The lines y = 3x − 15 and y = -3 meet at x = 4. 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.
$3x - 15 = -3$
2
Add 15 to both sides:
$3x - 15 + 15 = -3 + 15 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 12$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4$
4
Check: put x = 4 back into the equation.
$3\cdot4 - 15 = 12 - 15 = -3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 15 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 3x - 15 = -3 \]
\[ 3x - 15 + 15 = -3 + 15 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 12 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 3\cdot4 - 15 = 12 - 15 = -3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 15 = −3

x	3x − 15	Equals -3?
2	-9	no
3	-6	no
4	-3	yes
5	0	no
6	3	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 15 = −3?

The solution of 3x − 15 = −3 is x = 4.

How do you solve 3x − 15 = −3?

Add 15 to both sides to get 3x = 12, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 4: 3(4) − 15 = -3, which is -3.

Solve 3x − 15 = −3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 15 = −3

Questions

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