Solve 5x + 2 = −38

The solution of 5x + 2 = −38 is x = -8.

5x + 2 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 5x + 2 and y = -38 meet at x = -8. 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$5x + 2 = -38$
2
Subtract 2 from both sides:
$5x + 2 - 2 = -38 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -40$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-40}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-8) + 2 = -40 + 2 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x + 2 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 5x + 2 = -38 \]
\[ 5x + 2 - 2 = -38 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -40 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-40}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-8) + 2 = -40 + 2 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x + 2 = −38

x	5x + 2	Equals -38?
-10	-48	no
-9	-43	no
-8	-38	yes
-7	-33	no
-6	-28	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 2 = −38?

The solution of 5x + 2 = −38 is x = -8.

How do you solve 5x + 2 = −38?

Subtract 2 from both sides to get 5x = -40, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 5(-8) + 2 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 5x + 2 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 2 = −38

Questions

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