Solve 3x − 5 = −32

The solution of 3x − 5 = −32 is x = -9.

3x - 5 = -32\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 3x − 5 and y = -32 meet at x = -9. 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.
$3x - 5 = -32$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$3x - 5 + 5 = -32 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -27$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-9) - 5 = -27 - 5 = -32 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 5 = -32\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 3x - 5 = -32 \]
\[ 3x - 5 + 5 = -32 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -27 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-9) - 5 = -27 - 5 = -32 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −32

x	3x − 5	Equals -32?
-11	-38	no
-10	-35	no
-9	-32	yes
-8	-29	no
-7	-26	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 5 = −32?

The solution of 3x − 5 = −32 is x = -9.

How do you solve 3x − 5 = −32?

Add 5 to both sides to get 3x = -27, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 3(-9) − 5 = -32, which is -32.

Solve 3x − 5 = −32

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −32

Questions

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