Solve 7x + 4 = −17

The solution of 7x + 4 = −17 is x = -3.

7x + 4 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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The lines y = 7x + 4 and y = -17 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$7x + 4 = -17$
2
Subtract 4 from both sides:
$7x + 4 - 4 = -17 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -21$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-21}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-3) + 4 = -21 + 4 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x + 4 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 7x + 4 = -17 \]
\[ 7x + 4 - 4 = -17 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -21 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-21}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-3) + 4 = -21 + 4 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x + 4 = −17

x	7x + 4	Equals -17?
-5	-31	no
-4	-24	no
-3	-17	yes
-2	-10	no
-1	-3	no

Questions

What is x in 7x + 4 = −17?

The solution of 7x + 4 = −17 is x = -3.

How do you solve 7x + 4 = −17?

Subtract 4 from 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) + 4 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 7x + 4 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x + 4 = −17

Questions

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