Solve 3x − 8 = −17

The solution of 3x − 8 = −17 is x = -3.

3x - 8 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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The lines y = 3x − 8 and y = -17 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.
$3x - 8 = -17$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$3x - 8 + 8 = -17 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -9$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-9}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-3) - 8 = -9 - 8 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 8 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3x - 8 = -17 \]
\[ 3x - 8 + 8 = -17 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -9 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-9}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-3) - 8 = -9 - 8 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −17

x	3x − 8	Equals -17?
-5	-23	no
-4	-20	no
-3	-17	yes
-2	-14	no
-1	-11	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 8 = −17?

The solution of 3x − 8 = −17 is x = -3.

How do you solve 3x − 8 = −17?

Add 8 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) − 8 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 3x − 8 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −17

Questions

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