Solve 7x + 4 = −38

The solution of 7x + 4 = −38 is x = -6.

7x + 4 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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

The lines y = 7x + 4 and y = -38 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.
$7x + 4 = -38$
2
Subtract 4 from both sides:
$7x + 4 - 4 = -38 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -42$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-42}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-6) + 4 = -42 + 4 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x + 4 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 7x + 4 = -38 \]
\[ 7x + 4 - 4 = -38 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -42 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-42}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-6) + 4 = -42 + 4 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x + 4 = −38

x	7x + 4	Equals -38?
-8	-52	no
-7	-45	no
-6	-38	yes
-5	-31	no
-4	-24	no

Questions

What is x in 7x + 4 = −38?

The solution of 7x + 4 = −38 is x = -6.

How do you solve 7x + 4 = −38?

Subtract 4 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) + 4 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 7x + 4 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x + 4 = −38

Questions

Similar equations