Solve 8x + 3 = −21

The solution of 8x + 3 = −21 is x = -3.

8x + 3 = -21\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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The lines y = 8x + 3 and y = -21 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.
$8x + 3 = -21$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$8x + 3 - 3 = -21 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 8x = -24$
3
Divide both sides by 8:
$\frac{8x}{8} = \frac{-24}{8} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$8\cdot(-3) + 3 = -24 + 3 = -21 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 8x + 3 = -21\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 8x + 3 = -21 \]
\[ 8x + 3 - 3 = -21 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 8x = -24 \]
\[ \frac{8x}{8} = \frac{-24}{8} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 8\cdot(-3) + 3 = -24 + 3 = -21 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 8x + 3 = −21

x	8x + 3	Equals -21?
-5	-37	no
-4	-29	no
-3	-21	yes
-2	-13	no
-1	-5	no

Questions

What is x in 8x + 3 = −21?

The solution of 8x + 3 = −21 is x = -3.

How do you solve 8x + 3 = −21?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 8x = -24, then divide both sides by 8 to get x = -3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -3: 8(-3) + 3 = -21, which is -21.

Solve 8x + 3 = −21

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 8x + 3 = −21

Questions

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