Solve 7x − 13 = −20

The solution of 7x − 13 = −20 is x = -1.

7x - 13 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 7x − 13 and y = -20 meet at x = -1. 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.
$7x - 13 = -20$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$7x - 13 + 13 = -20 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -7$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-7}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-1) - 13 = -7 - 13 = -20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 13 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 7x - 13 = -20 \]
\[ 7x - 13 + 13 = -20 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -7 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-7}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-1) - 13 = -7 - 13 = -20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 13 = −20

x	7x − 13	Equals -20?
-3	-34	no
-2	-27	no
-1	-20	yes
0	-13	no
1	-6	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 13 = −20?

The solution of 7x − 13 = −20 is x = -1.

How do you solve 7x − 13 = −20?

Add 13 to both sides to get 7x = -7, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 7(-1) − 13 = -20, which is -20.

Solve 7x − 13 = −20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 13 = −20

Questions

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