Solve 5x − 3 = −38

The solution of 5x − 3 = −38 is x = -7.

5x - 3 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 5x − 3 and y = -38 meet at x = -7. 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.
$5x - 3 = -38$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$5x - 3 + 3 = -38 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -35$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-35}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-7) - 3 = -35 - 3 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 3 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 5x - 3 = -38 \]
\[ 5x - 3 + 3 = -38 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -35 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-35}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-7) - 3 = -35 - 3 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 3 = −38

x	5x − 3	Equals -38?
-9	-48	no
-8	-43	no
-7	-38	yes
-6	-33	no
-5	-28	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 3 = −38?

The solution of 5x − 3 = −38 is x = -7.

How do you solve 5x − 3 = −38?

Add 3 to both sides to get 5x = -35, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 5(-7) − 3 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 5x − 3 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 3 = −38

Questions

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