Solve 3x + 5 = −4

The solution of 3x + 5 = −4 is x = -3.

3x + 5 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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

The lines y = 3x + 5 and y = -4 meet at x = -3. 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.
$3x + 5 = -4$
2
Subtract 5 from both sides:
$3x + 5 - 5 = -4 - 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -9$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-9}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-3) + 5 = -9 + 5 = -4 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 5 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3x + 5 = -4 \]
\[ 3x + 5 - 5 = -4 - 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -9 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-9}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-3) + 5 = -9 + 5 = -4 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 5 = −4

x	3x + 5	Equals -4?
-5	-10	no
-4	-7	no
-3	-4	yes
-2	-1	no
-1	2	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 5 = −4?

The solution of 3x + 5 = −4 is x = -3.

How do you solve 3x + 5 = −4?

Subtract 5 from both sides to get 3x = -9, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -3: 3(-3) + 5 = -4, which is -4.

Solve 3x + 5 = −4

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 5 = −4

Questions

Similar equations