Solve 3x − 8 = −5

The solution of 3x − 8 = −5 is x = 1.

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

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The lines y = 3x − 8 and y = -5 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.
$3x - 8 = -5$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$3x - 8 + 8 = -5 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 3$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{3}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1$
4
Check: put x = 1 back into the equation.
$3\cdot1 - 8 = 3 - 8 = -5 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 8 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 3x - 8 = -5 \]
\[ 3x - 8 + 8 = -5 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 3 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{3}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 3\cdot1 - 8 = 3 - 8 = -5 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −5

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

Questions

What is x in 3x − 8 = −5?

The solution of 3x − 8 = −5 is x = 1.

How do you solve 3x − 8 = −5?

Add 8 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) − 8 = -5, which is -5.

Solve 3x − 8 = −5

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 8 = −5

Questions

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