Solve 5x − 13 = −38

The solution of 5x − 13 = −38 is x = -5.

5x - 13 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 5x − 13 and y = -38 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 subtraction, then the multiplication.
$5x - 13 = -38$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$5x - 13 + 13 = -38 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -25$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-25}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-5) - 13 = -25 - 13 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 13 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 5x - 13 = -38 \]
\[ 5x - 13 + 13 = -38 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -25 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-25}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-5) - 13 = -25 - 13 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 13 = −38

x	5x − 13	Equals -38?
-7	-48	no
-6	-43	no
-5	-38	yes
-4	-33	no
-3	-28	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 13 = −38?

The solution of 5x − 13 = −38 is x = -5.

How do you solve 5x − 13 = −38?

Add 13 to both sides to get 5x = -25, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 5(-5) − 13 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 5x − 13 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 13 = −38

Questions

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