Solve 3x − 2 = −5

The solution of 3x − 2 = −5 is x = -1.

3x - 2 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 3x − 2 and y = -5 meet at x = -1. 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.
$3x - 2 = -5$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$3x - 2 + 2 = -5 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -3$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-3}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-1) - 2 = -3 - 2 = -5 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 2 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 3x - 2 = -5 \]
\[ 3x - 2 + 2 = -5 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -3 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-3}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-1) - 2 = -3 - 2 = -5 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = −5

x	3x − 2	Equals -5?
-3	-11	no
-2	-8	no
-1	-5	yes
0	-2	no
1	1	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 2 = −5?

The solution of 3x − 2 = −5 is x = -1.

How do you solve 3x − 2 = −5?

Add 2 to both sides to get 3x = -3, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 3(-1) − 2 = -5, which is -5.

Solve 3x − 2 = −5

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 2 = −5

Questions

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