Solve 10x − 1 = 159

The solution of 10x − 1 = 159 is x = 16.

10x - 1 = 159\ \Rightarrow\ x = 16

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The lines y = 10x − 1 and y = 159 meet at x = 16. 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.
$10x - 1 = 159$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$10x - 1 + 1 = 159 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = 160$
3
Divide both sides by 10:
$\frac{10x}{10} = \frac{160}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 16$
4
Check: put x = 16 back into the equation.
$10\cdot16 - 1 = 160 - 1 = 159 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 10x - 1 = 159\ \Rightarrow\ x = 16 \]
\[ 10x - 1 = 159 \]
\[ 10x - 1 + 1 = 159 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = 160 \]
\[ \frac{10x}{10} = \frac{160}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 16 \]
\[ 10\cdot16 - 1 = 160 - 1 = 159 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 10x − 1 = 159

x	10x − 1	Equals 159?
14	139	no
15	149	no
16	159	yes
17	169	no
18	179	no

Questions

What is x in 10x − 1 = 159?

The solution of 10x − 1 = 159 is x = 16.

How do you solve 10x − 1 = 159?

Add 1 to both sides to get 10x = 160, then divide both sides by 10 to get x = 16.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 16: 10(16) − 1 = 159, which is 159.

Solve 10x − 1 = 159

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 10x − 1 = 159

Questions

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