Solve 7x − 2 = −16

The solution of 7x − 2 = −16 is x = -2.

7x - 2 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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

The lines y = 7x − 2 and y = -16 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.
$7x - 2 = -16$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$7x - 2 + 2 = -16 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -14$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-14}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-2) - 2 = -14 - 2 = -16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 2 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 7x - 2 = -16 \]
\[ 7x - 2 + 2 = -16 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -14 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-14}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-2) - 2 = -14 - 2 = -16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 2 = −16

x	7x − 2	Equals -16?
-4	-30	no
-3	-23	no
-2	-16	yes
-1	-9	no
0	-2	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 2 = −16?

The solution of 7x − 2 = −16 is x = -2.

How do you solve 7x − 2 = −16?

Add 2 to both sides to get 7x = -14, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 7(-2) − 2 = -16, which is -16.

Solve 7x − 2 = −16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 2 = −16

Questions

Similar equations