Solve 6x − 5 = −17

The solution of 6x − 5 = −17 is x = -2.

6x - 5 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 6x − 5 and y = -17 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 subtraction, then the multiplication.
$6x - 5 = -17$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$6x - 5 + 5 = -17 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 6:
$\frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-12}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$6\cdot(-2) - 5 = -12 - 5 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 6x - 5 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 6x - 5 = -17 \]
\[ 6x - 5 + 5 = -17 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-12}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 6\cdot(-2) - 5 = -12 - 5 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 6x − 5 = −17

x	6x − 5	Equals -17?
-4	-29	no
-3	-23	no
-2	-17	yes
-1	-11	no
0	-5	no

Questions

What is x in 6x − 5 = −17?

The solution of 6x − 5 = −17 is x = -2.

How do you solve 6x − 5 = −17?

Add 5 to both sides to get 6x = -12, then divide both sides by 6 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 6(-2) − 5 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 6x − 5 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 6x − 5 = −17

Questions

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