Solve 6x − 8 = −20

The solution of 6x − 8 = −20 is x = -2.

6x - 8 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 6x − 8 and y = -20 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.
$6x - 8 = -20$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$6x - 8 + 8 = -20 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 6:
$\frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-12}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$6\cdot(-2) - 8 = -12 - 8 = -20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 6x - 8 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 6x - 8 = -20 \]
\[ 6x - 8 + 8 = -20 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-12}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 6\cdot(-2) - 8 = -12 - 8 = -20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 6x − 8 = −20

x	6x − 8	Equals -20?
-4	-32	no
-3	-26	no
-2	-20	yes
-1	-14	no
0	-8	no

Questions

What is x in 6x − 8 = −20?

The solution of 6x − 8 = −20 is x = -2.

How do you solve 6x − 8 = −20?

Add 8 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) − 8 = -20, which is -20.

Solve 6x − 8 = −20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 6x − 8 = −20

Questions

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