Solve 7x − 2 = −51

The solution of 7x − 2 = −51 is x = -7.

7x - 2 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 7x − 2 and y = -51 meet at x = -7. 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.
$7x - 2 = -51$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$7x - 2 + 2 = -51 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -49$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-49}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-7) - 2 = -49 - 2 = -51 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 2 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 7x - 2 = -51 \]
\[ 7x - 2 + 2 = -51 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -49 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-49}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-7) - 2 = -49 - 2 = -51 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 2 = −51

x	7x − 2	Equals -51?
-9	-65	no
-8	-58	no
-7	-51	yes
-6	-44	no
-5	-37	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 2 = −51?

The solution of 7x − 2 = −51 is x = -7.

How do you solve 7x − 2 = −51?

Add 2 to both sides to get 7x = -49, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 7(-7) − 2 = -51, which is -51.

Solve 7x − 2 = −51

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 2 = −51

Questions

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