Solve 5x + 7 = −38

The solution of 5x + 7 = −38 is x = -9.

5x + 7 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 5x + 7 and y = -38 meet at x = -9. 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.
$5x + 7 = -38$
2
Subtract 7 from both sides:
$5x + 7 - 7 = -38 - 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -45$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-45}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-9) + 7 = -45 + 7 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x + 7 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 5x + 7 = -38 \]
\[ 5x + 7 - 7 = -38 - 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -45 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-45}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-9) + 7 = -45 + 7 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x + 7 = −38

x	5x + 7	Equals -38?
-11	-48	no
-10	-43	no
-9	-38	yes
-8	-33	no
-7	-28	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 7 = −38?

The solution of 5x + 7 = −38 is x = -9.

How do you solve 5x + 7 = −38?

Subtract 7 from both sides to get 5x = -45, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 5(-9) + 7 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 5x + 7 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 7 = −38

Questions

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