Solve 9x − 8 = −17

The solution of 9x − 8 = −17 is x = -1.

9x - 8 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 9x − 8 and y = -17 meet at x = -1. 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.
$9x - 8 = -17$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$9x - 8 + 8 = -17 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -9$
3
Divide both sides by 9:
$\frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-9}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$9\cdot(-1) - 8 = -9 - 8 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 9x - 8 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 9x - 8 = -17 \]
\[ 9x - 8 + 8 = -17 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -9 \]
\[ \frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-9}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 9\cdot(-1) - 8 = -9 - 8 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 9x − 8 = −17

x	9x − 8	Equals -17?
-3	-35	no
-2	-26	no
-1	-17	yes
0	-8	no
1	1	no

Questions

What is x in 9x − 8 = −17?

The solution of 9x − 8 = −17 is x = -1.

How do you solve 9x − 8 = −17?

Add 8 to both sides to get 9x = -9, then divide both sides by 9 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 9(-1) − 8 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 9x − 8 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 9x − 8 = −17

Questions

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