When solving this linear equation,

-8.3 = X + 6.1
don't I take 6.1 from both sides and get
x = 2.2?

so -8.3 - 6.1 = x

x = -14.4

Okay, now i am lost. How'd you get -14.4 from that?

To solve the linear equation -8.3 = X + 6.1, you are correct that you need to isolate the variable X. Let's follow the steps to solve the equation:

1. Start with the given equation: -8.3 = X + 6.1.

2. To isolate the variable X, we need to eliminate the constant term 6.1 on the right side of the equation. We can do this by subtracting 6.1 from both sides of the equation.

-8.3 - 6.1 = X + 6.1 - 6.1.

Simplifying the equation, we get:

-14.4 = X.

3. Now, we have X = -14.4 as the simplified equation. So the solution is X = -14.4.

Therefore, your earlier calculation of X = 2.2 is not correct. The correct solution is X = -14.4.