Solve 3x − 5 = −11

The solution of 3x − 5 = −11 is x = -2.

3x - 5 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 3x − 5 and y = -11 meet at x = -2. 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.
$3x - 5 = -11$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$3x - 5 + 5 = -11 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -6$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-6}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-2) - 5 = -6 - 5 = -11 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 5 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 3x - 5 = -11 \]
\[ 3x - 5 + 5 = -11 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -6 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-6}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-2) - 5 = -6 - 5 = -11 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −11

x	3x − 5	Equals -11?
-4	-17	no
-3	-14	no
-2	-11	yes
-1	-8	no
0	-5	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 5 = −11?

The solution of 3x − 5 = −11 is x = -2.

How do you solve 3x − 5 = −11?

Add 5 to both sides to get 3x = -6, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 3(-2) − 5 = -11, which is -11.

Solve 3x − 5 = −11

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −11

Questions

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