Solve 5x − 2 = −7

The solution of 5x − 2 = −7 is x = -1.

5x - 2 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 5x − 2 and y = -7 meet at x = -1. 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.
$5x - 2 = -7$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$5x - 2 + 2 = -7 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -5$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-1) - 2 = -5 - 2 = -7 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 2 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 5x - 2 = -7 \]
\[ 5x - 2 + 2 = -7 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -5 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-1) - 2 = -5 - 2 = -7 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 2 = −7

x	5x − 2	Equals -7?
-3	-17	no
-2	-12	no
-1	-7	yes
0	-2	no
1	3	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 2 = −7?

The solution of 5x − 2 = −7 is x = -1.

How do you solve 5x − 2 = −7?

Add 2 to both sides to get 5x = -5, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 5(-1) − 2 = -7, which is -7.

Solve 5x − 2 = −7

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 2 = −7

Questions

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