Solve 7x − 3 = −38

The solution of 7x − 3 = −38 is x = -5.

7x - 3 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 7x − 3 and y = -38 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.
$7x - 3 = -38$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$7x - 3 + 3 = -38 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -35$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-35}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-5) - 3 = -35 - 3 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 3 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 7x - 3 = -38 \]
\[ 7x - 3 + 3 = -38 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -35 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-35}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-5) - 3 = -35 - 3 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 3 = −38

x	7x − 3	Equals -38?
-7	-52	no
-6	-45	no
-5	-38	yes
-4	-31	no
-3	-24	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 3 = −38?

The solution of 7x − 3 = −38 is x = -5.

How do you solve 7x − 3 = −38?

Add 3 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) − 3 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 7x − 3 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 3 = −38

Questions

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