Solve 3x + 2 = −16

The solution of 3x + 2 = −16 is x = -6.

3x + 2 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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

The lines y = 3x + 2 and y = -16 meet at x = -6. 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.
$3x + 2 = -16$
2
Subtract 2 from both sides:
$3x + 2 - 2 = -16 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -18$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-6) + 2 = -18 + 2 = -16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 2 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 3x + 2 = -16 \]
\[ 3x + 2 - 2 = -16 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -18 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-6) + 2 = -18 + 2 = -16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 2 = −16

x	3x + 2	Equals -16?
-8	-22	no
-7	-19	no
-6	-16	yes
-5	-13	no
-4	-10	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 2 = −16?

The solution of 3x + 2 = −16 is x = -6.

How do you solve 3x + 2 = −16?

Subtract 2 from both sides to get 3x = -18, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 3(-6) + 2 = -16, which is -16.

Solve 3x + 2 = −16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 2 = −16

Questions

Similar equations