Solve 7x + 4 = −3

The solution of 7x + 4 = −3 is x = -1.

7x + 4 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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

The lines y = 7x + 4 and y = -3 meet at x = -1. 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.
$7x + 4 = -3$
2
Subtract 4 from both sides:
$7x + 4 - 4 = -3 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -7$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-7}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-1) + 4 = -7 + 4 = -3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x + 4 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 7x + 4 = -3 \]
\[ 7x + 4 - 4 = -3 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -7 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-7}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-1) + 4 = -7 + 4 = -3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x + 4 = −3

x	7x + 4	Equals -3?
-3	-17	no
-2	-10	no
-1	-3	yes
0	4	no
1	11	no

Questions

What is x in 7x + 4 = −3?

The solution of 7x + 4 = −3 is x = -1.

How do you solve 7x + 4 = −3?

Subtract 4 from both sides to get 7x = -7, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 7(-1) + 4 = -3, which is -3.

Solve 7x + 4 = −3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x + 4 = −3

Questions

Similar equations