Solve 3x − 5 = −8

The solution of 3x − 5 = −8 is x = -1.

3x - 5 = -8\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 3x − 5 and y = -8 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.
$3x - 5 = -8$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$3x - 5 + 5 = -8 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -3$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-3}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-1) - 5 = -3 - 5 = -8 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 5 = -8\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 3x - 5 = -8 \]
\[ 3x - 5 + 5 = -8 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -3 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-3}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-1) - 5 = -3 - 5 = -8 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −8

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

Questions

What is x in 3x − 5 = −8?

The solution of 3x − 5 = −8 is x = -1.

How do you solve 3x − 5 = −8?

Add 5 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) − 5 = -8, which is -8.

Solve 3x − 5 = −8

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 5 = −8

Questions

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