Solve 5x + 3 = −7

The solution of 5x + 3 = −7 is x = -2.

5x + 3 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 5x + 3 and y = -7 meet at x = -2. 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.
$5x + 3 = -7$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$5x + 3 - 3 = -7 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -10$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-10}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-2) + 3 = -10 + 3 = -7 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x + 3 = -7\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 5x + 3 = -7 \]
\[ 5x + 3 - 3 = -7 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -10 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-10}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-2) + 3 = -10 + 3 = -7 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x + 3 = −7

x	5x + 3	Equals -7?
-4	-17	no
-3	-12	no
-2	-7	yes
-1	-2	no
0	3	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 3 = −7?

The solution of 5x + 3 = −7 is x = -2.

How do you solve 5x + 3 = −7?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 5x = -10, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 5(-2) + 3 = -7, which is -7.

Solve 5x + 3 = −7

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 3 = −7

Questions

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