Solve 7x − 2 = −37

The solution of 7x − 2 = −37 is x = -5.

7x - 2 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 7x − 2 and y = -37 meet at x = -5. 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.
$7x - 2 = -37$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$7x - 2 + 2 = -37 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -35$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-35}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-5) - 2 = -35 - 2 = -37 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 2 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 7x - 2 = -37 \]
\[ 7x - 2 + 2 = -37 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -35 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-35}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-5) - 2 = -35 - 2 = -37 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 2 = −37

x	7x − 2	Equals -37?
-7	-51	no
-6	-44	no
-5	-37	yes
-4	-30	no
-3	-23	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 2 = −37?

The solution of 7x − 2 = −37 is x = -5.

How do you solve 7x − 2 = −37?

Add 2 to both sides to get 7x = -35, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 7(-5) − 2 = -37, which is -37.

Solve 7x − 2 = −37

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 2 = −37

Questions

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