Solve 3x − 2 = −26

The solution of 3x − 2 = −26 is x = -8.

3x - 2 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 3x − 2 and y = -26 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.
$3x - 2 = -26$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$3x - 2 + 2 = -26 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-8) - 2 = -24 - 2 = -26 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 2 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3x - 2 = -26 \]
\[ 3x - 2 + 2 = -26 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-8) - 2 = -24 - 2 = -26 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = −26

x	3x − 2	Equals -26?
-10	-32	no
-9	-29	no
-8	-26	yes
-7	-23	no
-6	-20	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 2 = −26?

The solution of 3x − 2 = −26 is x = -8.

How do you solve 3x − 2 = −26?

Add 2 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) − 2 = -26, which is -26.

Solve 3x − 2 = −26

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = −26

Questions

Similar equations