Solve 3x − 8 = −29

The solution of 3x − 8 = −29 is x = -7.

3x - 8 = -29\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 3x − 8 and y = -29 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.
$3x - 8 = -29$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$3x - 8 + 8 = -29 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-7) - 8 = -21 - 8 = -29 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 8 = -29\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3x - 8 = -29 \]
\[ 3x - 8 + 8 = -29 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-7) - 8 = -21 - 8 = -29 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −29

x	3x − 8	Equals -29?
-9	-35	no
-8	-32	no
-7	-29	yes
-6	-26	no
-5	-23	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 8 = −29?

The solution of 3x − 8 = −29 is x = -7.

How do you solve 3x − 8 = −29?

Add 8 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) − 8 = -29, which is -29.

Solve 3x − 8 = −29

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −29

Questions

Similar equations