Solve 9x + 3 = −15

The solution of 9x + 3 = −15 is x = -2.

9x + 3 = -15\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 9x + 3 and y = -15 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$9x + 3 = -15$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$9x + 3 - 3 = -15 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -18$
3
Divide both sides by 9:
$\frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-18}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$9\cdot(-2) + 3 = -18 + 3 = -15 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 9x + 3 = -15\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 9x + 3 = -15 \]
\[ 9x + 3 - 3 = -15 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -18 \]
\[ \frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-18}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 9\cdot(-2) + 3 = -18 + 3 = -15 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 9x + 3 = −15

x	9x + 3	Equals -15?
-4	-33	no
-3	-24	no
-2	-15	yes
-1	-6	no
0	3	no

Questions

What is x in 9x + 3 = −15?

The solution of 9x + 3 = −15 is x = -2.

How do you solve 9x + 3 = −15?

Subtract 3 from 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) + 3 = -15, which is -15.

Solve 9x + 3 = −15

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 9x + 3 = −15

Questions

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