Solve 5x + 3 = −17

The solution of 5x + 3 = −17 is x = -4.

5x + 3 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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The lines y = 5x + 3 and y = -17 meet at x = -4. 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.
$5x + 3 = -17$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$5x + 3 - 3 = -17 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -20$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-4) + 3 = -20 + 3 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x + 3 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 5x + 3 = -17 \]
\[ 5x + 3 - 3 = -17 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -20 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-4) + 3 = -20 + 3 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x + 3 = −17

x	5x + 3	Equals -17?
-6	-27	no
-5	-22	no
-4	-17	yes
-3	-12	no
-2	-7	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 3 = −17?

The solution of 5x + 3 = −17 is x = -4.

How do you solve 5x + 3 = −17?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 5x = -20, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 5(-4) + 3 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 5x + 3 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 3 = −17

Questions

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