Solve 3x − 7 = −16

The solution of 3x − 7 = −16 is x = -3.

3x - 7 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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The lines y = 3x − 7 and y = -16 meet at x = -3. 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.
$3x - 7 = -16$
2
Add 7 to both sides:
$3x - 7 + 7 = -16 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -9$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-9}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-3) - 7 = -9 - 7 = -16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 7 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3x - 7 = -16 \]
\[ 3x - 7 + 7 = -16 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -9 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-9}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-3) - 7 = -9 - 7 = -16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 7 = −16

x	3x − 7	Equals -16?
-5	-22	no
-4	-19	no
-3	-16	yes
-2	-13	no
-1	-10	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 7 = −16?

The solution of 3x − 7 = −16 is x = -3.

How do you solve 3x − 7 = −16?

Add 7 to both sides to get 3x = -9, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -3: 3(-3) − 7 = -16, which is -16.

Solve 3x − 7 = −16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 7 = −16

Questions

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