Solve 8x − 7 = −71

The solution of 8x − 7 = −71 is x = -8.

8x - 7 = -71\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 8x − 7 and y = -71 meet at x = -8. 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 subtraction, then the multiplication.
$8x - 7 = -71$
2
Add 7 to both sides:
$8x - 7 + 7 = -71 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 8x = -64$
3
Divide both sides by 8:
$\frac{8x}{8} = \frac{-64}{8} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$8\cdot(-8) - 7 = -64 - 7 = -71 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 8x - 7 = -71\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 8x - 7 = -71 \]
\[ 8x - 7 + 7 = -71 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 8x = -64 \]
\[ \frac{8x}{8} = \frac{-64}{8} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 8\cdot(-8) - 7 = -64 - 7 = -71 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 8x − 7 = −71

x	8x − 7	Equals -71?
-10	-87	no
-9	-79	no
-8	-71	yes
-7	-63	no
-6	-55	no

Questions

What is x in 8x − 7 = −71?

The solution of 8x − 7 = −71 is x = -8.

How do you solve 8x − 7 = −71?

Add 7 to both sides to get 8x = -64, then divide both sides by 8 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 8(-8) − 7 = -71, which is -71.

Solve 8x − 7 = −71

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 8x − 7 = −71

Questions

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