Solve 2x − 1 = −11

The solution of 2x − 1 = −11 is x = -5.

2x - 1 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 2x − 1 and y = -11 meet at x = -5. 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.
$2x - 1 = -11$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$2x - 1 + 1 = -11 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-5) - 1 = -10 - 1 = -11 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 1 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2x - 1 = -11 \]
\[ 2x - 1 + 1 = -11 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-5) - 1 = -10 - 1 = -11 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = −11

x	2x − 1	Equals -11?
-7	-15	no
-6	-13	no
-5	-11	yes
-4	-9	no
-3	-7	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 1 = −11?

The solution of 2x − 1 = −11 is x = -5.

How do you solve 2x − 1 = −11?

Add 1 to both sides to get 2x = -10, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 2(-5) − 1 = -11, which is -11.

Solve 2x − 1 = −11

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = −11

Questions

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