Solve 8x ā 2 = ā18
The solution of 8x ā 2 = ā18 is x = -2.
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.
- 2
Add 2 to both sides:
- 3
Divide both sides by 8:
- 4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ 8x - 2 = -18\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 8x - 2 = -18 \]
\[ 8x - 2 + 2 = -18 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 8x = -16 \]
\[ \frac{8x}{8} = \frac{-16}{8} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 8\cdot(-2) - 2 = -16 - 2 = -18 \checkmark \]Trying values of x in 8x ā 2 = ā18
| x | 8x ā 2 | Equals -18? |
|---|---|---|
| -4 | -34 | no |
| -3 | -26 | no |
| -2 | -18 | yes |
| -1 | -10 | no |
| 0 | -2 | no |
Questions
What is x in 8x ā 2 = ā18?
The solution of 8x ā 2 = ā18 is x = -2.
How do you solve 8x ā 2 = ā18?
Add 2 to both sides to get 8x = -16, then divide both sides by 8 to get x = -2.
How do I check the answer?
Replace x by -2: 8(-2) ā 2 = -18, which is -18.