Solve 5x − 7 = −2

The solution of 5x − 7 = −2 is x = 1.

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

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The lines y = 5x − 7 and y = -2 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.
$5x - 7 = -2$
2
Add 7 to both sides:
$5x - 7 + 7 = -2 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 5$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1$
4
Check: put x = 1 back into the equation.
$5\cdot1 - 7 = 5 - 7 = -2 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 7 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 5x - 7 = -2 \]
\[ 5x - 7 + 7 = -2 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 5 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 5\cdot1 - 7 = 5 - 7 = -2 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 7 = −2

x	5x − 7	Equals -2?
-1	-12	no
0	-7	no
1	-2	yes
2	3	no
3	8	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 7 = −2?

The solution of 5x − 7 = −2 is x = 1.

How do you solve 5x − 7 = −2?

Add 7 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) − 7 = -2, which is -2.

Solve 5x − 7 = −2

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 7 = −2

Questions

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