Solve 9x − 3 = −48

The solution of 9x − 3 = −48 is x = -5.

9x - 3 = -48\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 9x − 3 and y = -48 meet at x = -5. 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.
$9x - 3 = -48$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$9x - 3 + 3 = -48 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -45$
3
Divide both sides by 9:
$\frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-45}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$9\cdot(-5) - 3 = -45 - 3 = -48 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 9x - 3 = -48\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 9x - 3 = -48 \]
\[ 9x - 3 + 3 = -48 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -45 \]
\[ \frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-45}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 9\cdot(-5) - 3 = -45 - 3 = -48 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 9x − 3 = −48

x	9x − 3	Equals -48?
-7	-66	no
-6	-57	no
-5	-48	yes
-4	-39	no
-3	-30	no

Questions

What is x in 9x − 3 = −48?

The solution of 9x − 3 = −48 is x = -5.

How do you solve 9x − 3 = −48?

Add 3 to both sides to get 9x = -45, then divide both sides by 9 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 9(-5) − 3 = -48, which is -48.

Solve 9x − 3 = −48

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 9x − 3 = −48

Questions

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