Solve 3x + 14 = −7

The solution of 3x + 14 = −7 is x = -7.

3x + 14 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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

The lines y = 3x + 14 and y = -7 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$3x + 14 = -7$
2
Subtract 14 from both sides:
$3x + 14 - 14 = -7 - 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-7) + 14 = -21 + 14 = -7 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 14 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3x + 14 = -7 \]
\[ 3x + 14 - 14 = -7 - 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-7) + 14 = -21 + 14 = -7 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 14 = −7

x	3x + 14	Equals -7?
-9	-13	no
-8	-10	no
-7	-7	yes
-6	-4	no
-5	-1	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 14 = −7?

The solution of 3x + 14 = −7 is x = -7.

How do you solve 3x + 14 = −7?

Subtract 14 from 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) + 14 = -7, which is -7.

Solve 3x + 14 = −7

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 14 = −7

Questions

Similar equations