Solve 9x − 2 = −20

The solution of 9x − 2 = −20 is x = -2.

9x - 2 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 9x − 2 and y = -20 meet at x = -2. 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.
$9x - 2 = -20$
2
Add 2 to both sides:
$9x - 2 + 2 = -20 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -18$
3
Divide both sides by 9:
$\frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-18}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$9\cdot(-2) - 2 = -18 - 2 = -20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 9x - 2 = -20\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 9x - 2 = -20 \]
\[ 9x - 2 + 2 = -20 + 2 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -18 \]
\[ \frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-18}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 9\cdot(-2) - 2 = -18 - 2 = -20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 9x − 2 = −20

x	9x − 2	Equals -20?
-4	-38	no
-3	-29	no
-2	-20	yes
-1	-11	no
0	-2	no

Questions

What is x in 9x − 2 = −20?

The solution of 9x − 2 = −20 is x = -2.

How do you solve 9x − 2 = −20?

Add 2 to both sides to get 9x = -18, then divide both sides by 9 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 9(-2) − 2 = -20, which is -20.

Solve 9x − 2 = −20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 9x − 2 = −20

Questions

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