Solve 7x − 5 = −26

The solution of 7x − 5 = −26 is x = -3.

7x - 5 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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

The lines y = 7x − 5 and y = -26 meet at x = -3. 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.
$7x - 5 = -26$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$7x - 5 + 5 = -26 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -21$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-21}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-3) - 5 = -21 - 5 = -26 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 5 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 7x - 5 = -26 \]
\[ 7x - 5 + 5 = -26 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -21 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-21}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-3) - 5 = -21 - 5 = -26 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 5 = −26

x	7x − 5	Equals -26?
-5	-40	no
-4	-33	no
-3	-26	yes
-2	-19	no
-1	-12	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 5 = −26?

The solution of 7x − 5 = −26 is x = -3.

How do you solve 7x − 5 = −26?

Add 5 to both sides to get 7x = -21, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -3: 7(-3) − 5 = -26, which is -26.

Solve 7x − 5 = −26

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 5 = −26

Questions

Similar equations