Solve 5x − 8 = −38

The solution of 5x − 8 = −38 is x = -6.

5x - 8 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 5x − 8 and y = -38 meet at x = -6. 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.
$5x - 8 = -38$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$5x - 8 + 8 = -38 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -30$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-30}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-6) - 8 = -30 - 8 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 8 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 5x - 8 = -38 \]
\[ 5x - 8 + 8 = -38 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -30 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-30}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-6) - 8 = -30 - 8 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 8 = −38

x	5x − 8	Equals -38?
-8	-48	no
-7	-43	no
-6	-38	yes
-5	-33	no
-4	-28	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 8 = −38?

The solution of 5x − 8 = −38 is x = -6.

How do you solve 5x − 8 = −38?

Add 8 to both sides to get 5x = -30, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 5(-6) − 8 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 5x − 8 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 8 = −38

Questions

Similar equations