Solve 3x + 2 = −19

The solution of 3x + 2 = −19 is x = -7.

3x + 2 = -19\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 3x + 2 and y = -19 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.
$3x + 2 = -19$
2
Subtract 2 from both sides:
$3x + 2 - 2 = -19 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-7) + 2 = -21 + 2 = -19 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 2 = -19\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3x + 2 = -19 \]
\[ 3x + 2 - 2 = -19 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-7) + 2 = -21 + 2 = -19 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 2 = −19

x	3x + 2	Equals -19?
-9	-25	no
-8	-22	no
-7	-19	yes
-6	-16	no
-5	-13	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 2 = −19?

The solution of 3x + 2 = −19 is x = -7.

How do you solve 3x + 2 = −19?

Subtract 2 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) + 2 = -19, which is -19.

Solve 3x + 2 = −19

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 2 = −19

Questions

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