Solve 6x − 2 = −38

The solution of 6x − 2 = −38 is x = -6.

6x - 2 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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

The lines y = 6x − 2 and y = -38 meet at x = -6. 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.
$6x - 2 = -38$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$6x - 2 + 2 = -38 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -36$
3
Divide both sides by 6:
$\frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-36}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$6\cdot(-6) - 2 = -36 - 2 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 6x - 2 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 6x - 2 = -38 \]
\[ 6x - 2 + 2 = -38 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -36 \]
\[ \frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-36}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 6\cdot(-6) - 2 = -36 - 2 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 6x − 2 = −38

x	6x − 2	Equals -38?
-8	-50	no
-7	-44	no
-6	-38	yes
-5	-32	no
-4	-26	no

Questions

What is x in 6x − 2 = −38?

The solution of 6x − 2 = −38 is x = -6.

How do you solve 6x − 2 = −38?

Add 2 to both sides to get 6x = -36, then divide both sides by 6 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 6(-6) − 2 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 6x − 2 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 6x − 2 = −38

Questions

Similar equations