Solve 6x − 2 = −20

The solution of 6x − 2 = −20 is x = -3.

6x - 2 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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

The lines y = 6x − 2 and y = -20 meet at x = -3. 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.
$6x - 2 = -20$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$6x - 2 + 2 = -20 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -18$
3
Divide both sides by 6:
$\frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-18}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$6\cdot(-3) - 2 = -18 - 2 = -20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 6x - 2 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 6x - 2 = -20 \]
\[ 6x - 2 + 2 = -20 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -18 \]
\[ \frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-18}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 6\cdot(-3) - 2 = -18 - 2 = -20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 6x − 2 = −20

x	6x − 2	Equals -20?
-5	-32	no
-4	-26	no
-3	-20	yes
-2	-14	no
-1	-8	no

Questions

What is x in 6x − 2 = −20?

The solution of 6x − 2 = −20 is x = -3.

How do you solve 6x − 2 = −20?

Add 2 to both sides to get 6x = -18, then divide both sides by 6 to get x = -3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -3: 6(-3) − 2 = -20, which is -20.

Solve 6x − 2 = −20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 6x − 2 = −20

Questions

Similar equations