Solve 3x − 8 = −32

The solution of 3x − 8 = −32 is x = -8.

3x - 8 = -32\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 3x − 8 and y = -32 meet at x = -8. 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.
$3x - 8 = -32$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$3x - 8 + 8 = -32 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-8) - 8 = -24 - 8 = -32 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 8 = -32\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3x - 8 = -32 \]
\[ 3x - 8 + 8 = -32 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-8) - 8 = -24 - 8 = -32 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −32

x	3x − 8	Equals -32?
-10	-38	no
-9	-35	no
-8	-32	yes
-7	-29	no
-6	-26	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 8 = −32?

The solution of 3x − 8 = −32 is x = -8.

How do you solve 3x − 8 = −32?

Add 8 to both sides to get 3x = -24, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 3(-8) − 8 = -32, which is -32.

Solve 3x − 8 = −32

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −32

Questions

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