Solve the Equation -8 - x = 5 to Find the Value of X

Q: Why do I need to multiply by -1 at the end?

When you isolate the variable and get -x = 13, you haven't solved for x yet! You have negative x. To find positive x, multiply both sides by -1: $ (-1)(-x) = (-1)(13) $, which gives you $ x = -13 $.

Q: How do I check if x = -13 is correct?

Substitute x = -13 into the original equation: $ -8 - (-13) = -8 + 13 = 5 $. Since this equals 5, your answer is correct! Remember: subtracting a negative number is the same as adding.

Q: What if I get confused with the negative signs?

Take it step by step! When you see -8 - x = 5, think of it as -8 + (-x) = 5. Adding 8 to both sides gives you -x = 13. Then multiply by -1 to get x = -13.

Q: Is there another way to solve this equation?

Yes! You could rearrange first: $ -8 - x = 5 $ becomes $ -x = 5 + 8 $, so $ -x = 13 $, then $ x = -13 $. Same result, just moving terms differently!

Linear Equations with Negative Variables

Find the value of the parameter X

$-8-x=5$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:03 Isolate the unknown X

00:20 Simplify what we can

00:28 Convert from negative to positive

00:37 Negative times negative always equals positive

00:45 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Find the value of the parameter X

$-8-x=5$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the given linear equation $-8 - x = 5$ , we will follow these steps:

Add 8 to both sides of the equation to isolate the term involving $x$ .
Subtract $x$ from both sides to further simplify; however, applying approach 1 directly cancels this step.
Multiply both sides by -1 to solve for $x$ .

First, let's add 8 to both sides of the equation:

-8 - x + 8 = 5 + 8

This simplifies to:

-x = 13

To find $x$ , multiply both sides of the equation by -1:

x = -13

Therefore, the solution to the equation is $x = -13$ .

Final Answer

$-13$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Isolation Rule: Add 8 to both sides to separate the x term
Technique: When you get -x = 13, multiply both sides by -1
Check: Substitute x = -13: -8 - (-13) = -8 + 13 = 5 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting to change sign when solving for negative x
Don't leave your answer as -x = 13 thinking x = 13! This gives the wrong sign. When you have -x equals something, you must multiply both sides by -1. Always remember: if -x = 13, then x = -13.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$$ x+7=14 $$

$x=\text{?}$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I need to multiply by -1 at the end?

When you isolate the variable and get -x = 13, you haven't solved for x yet! You have negative x. To find positive x, multiply both sides by -1: $(-1)(-x) = (-1)(13)$ , which gives you $x = -13$ .

Can I subtract x from both sides instead?

That would make the equation more complicated! Starting with $-8 - x = 5$ , subtracting x gives $-8 - 2x = 5 - x$ . It's much easier to add 8 first to isolate the x term.

How do I check if x = -13 is correct?

Substitute x = -13 into the original equation: $-8 - (-13) = -8 + 13 = 5$ . Since this equals 5, your answer is correct! Remember: subtracting a negative number is the same as adding.

What if I get confused with the negative signs?

Take it step by step! When you see -8 - x = 5, think of it as -8 + (-x) = 5. Adding 8 to both sides gives you -x = 13. Then multiply by -1 to get x = -13.

Is there another way to solve this equation?

Yes! You could rearrange first: $-8 - x = 5$ becomes $-x = 5 + 8$ , so $-x = 13$ , then $x = -13$ . Same result, just moving terms differently!

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Solve the Equation -8 - x = 5 to Find the Value of X

Linear Equations with Negative Variables

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

Step-by-step video solution

Step-by-step written solution

Understand the problem

Step-by-step solution

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Common Mistakes

Practice Quiz

FAQ

Why do I need to multiply by -1 at the end?

Can I subtract x from both sides instead?

How do I check if x = -13 is correct?

What if I get confused with the negative signs?

Is there another way to solve this equation?

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

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