Solve 3x − 5 = −26

The solution of 3x − 5 = −26 is x = -7.

3x - 5 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 3x − 5 and y = -26 meet at x = -7. 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.
$3x - 5 = -26$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$3x - 5 + 5 = -26 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-7) - 5 = -21 - 5 = -26 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 5 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3x - 5 = -26 \]
\[ 3x - 5 + 5 = -26 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-7) - 5 = -21 - 5 = -26 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −26

x	3x − 5	Equals -26?
-9	-32	no
-8	-29	no
-7	-26	yes
-6	-23	no
-5	-20	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 5 = −26?

The solution of 3x − 5 = −26 is x = -7.

How do you solve 3x − 5 = −26?

Add 5 to both sides to get 3x = -21, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 3(-7) − 5 = -26, which is -26.

Solve 3x − 5 = −26

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −26

Questions

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