Solve 7x − 5 = −61

The solution of 7x − 5 = −61 is x = -8.

7x - 5 = -61\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 7x − 5 and y = -61 meet at x = -8. 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.
$7x - 5 = -61$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$7x - 5 + 5 = -61 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -56$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-56}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-8) - 5 = -56 - 5 = -61 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 5 = -61\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 7x - 5 = -61 \]
\[ 7x - 5 + 5 = -61 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -56 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-56}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-8) - 5 = -56 - 5 = -61 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 5 = −61

x	7x − 5	Equals -61?
-10	-75	no
-9	-68	no
-8	-61	yes
-7	-54	no
-6	-47	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 5 = −61?

The solution of 7x − 5 = −61 is x = -8.

How do you solve 7x − 5 = −61?

Add 5 to both sides to get 7x = -56, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 7(-8) − 5 = -61, which is -61.

Solve 7x − 5 = −61

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 5 = −61

Questions

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