Solve 5x − 11 = −51

The solution of 5x − 11 = −51 is x = -8.

5x - 11 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 5x − 11 and y = -51 meet at x = -8. 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 subtraction, then the multiplication.
$5x - 11 = -51$
2
Add 11 to both sides:
$5x - 11 + 11 = -51 + 11 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -40$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-40}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-8) - 11 = -40 - 11 = -51 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 11 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 5x - 11 = -51 \]
\[ 5x - 11 + 11 = -51 + 11 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -40 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-40}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-8) - 11 = -40 - 11 = -51 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 11 = −51

x	5x − 11	Equals -51?
-10	-61	no
-9	-56	no
-8	-51	yes
-7	-46	no
-6	-41	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 11 = −51?

The solution of 5x − 11 = −51 is x = -8.

How do you solve 5x − 11 = −51?

Add 11 to both sides to get 5x = -40, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 5(-8) − 11 = -51, which is -51.

Solve 5x − 11 = −51

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 11 = −51

Questions

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