Solve 4x + 3 = −17

The solution of 4x + 3 = −17 is x = -5.

4x + 3 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 4x + 3 and y = -17 meet at x = -5. 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.
$4x + 3 = -17$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$4x + 3 - 3 = -17 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -20$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-20}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-5) + 3 = -20 + 3 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x + 3 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 4x + 3 = -17 \]
\[ 4x + 3 - 3 = -17 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -20 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-20}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-5) + 3 = -20 + 3 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x + 3 = −17

x	4x + 3	Equals -17?
-7	-25	no
-6	-21	no
-5	-17	yes
-4	-13	no
-3	-9	no

Questions

What is x in 4x + 3 = −17?

The solution of 4x + 3 = −17 is x = -5.

How do you solve 4x + 3 = −17?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 4x = -20, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 4(-5) + 3 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 4x + 3 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x + 3 = −17

Questions

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