Solve 10x − 1 = −71

The solution of 10x − 1 = −71 is x = -7.

10x - 1 = -71\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 10x − 1 and y = -71 meet at x = -7. 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.
$10x - 1 = -71$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$10x - 1 + 1 = -71 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = -70$
3
Divide both sides by 10:
$\frac{10x}{10} = \frac{-70}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$10\cdot(-7) - 1 = -70 - 1 = -71 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 10x - 1 = -71\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 10x - 1 = -71 \]
\[ 10x - 1 + 1 = -71 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 10x = -70 \]
\[ \frac{10x}{10} = \frac{-70}{10} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 10\cdot(-7) - 1 = -70 - 1 = -71 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 10x − 1 = −71

x	10x − 1	Equals -71?
-9	-91	no
-8	-81	no
-7	-71	yes
-6	-61	no
-5	-51	no

Questions

What is x in 10x − 1 = −71?

The solution of 10x − 1 = −71 is x = -7.

How do you solve 10x − 1 = −71?

Add 1 to both sides to get 10x = -70, then divide both sides by 10 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 10(-7) − 1 = -71, which is -71.

Solve 10x − 1 = −71

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 10x − 1 = −71

Questions

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