Solve 7x + 2 = −40

The solution of 7x + 2 = −40 is x = -6.

7x + 2 = -40\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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The lines y = 7x + 2 and y = -40 meet at x = -6. 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$7x + 2 = -40$
2
Subtract 2 from both sides:
$7x + 2 - 2 = -40 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -42$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-42}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-6) + 2 = -42 + 2 = -40 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x + 2 = -40\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 7x + 2 = -40 \]
\[ 7x + 2 - 2 = -40 - 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -42 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-42}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-6) + 2 = -42 + 2 = -40 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x + 2 = −40

x	7x + 2	Equals -40?
-8	-54	no
-7	-47	no
-6	-40	yes
-5	-33	no
-4	-26	no

Questions

What is x in 7x + 2 = −40?

The solution of 7x + 2 = −40 is x = -6.

How do you solve 7x + 2 = −40?

Subtract 2 from both sides to get 7x = -42, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 7(-6) + 2 = -40, which is -40.

Solve 7x + 2 = −40

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x + 2 = −40

Questions

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