Solve 2x − 1 = −3

The solution of 2x − 1 = −3 is x = -1.

2x - 1 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 1 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 2x - 1 = -3 \]
\[ 2x - 1 + 1 = -3 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -2 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-2}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-1) - 1 = -2 - 1 = -3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = −3

x	2x − 1	Equals -3?
-3	-7	no
-2	-5	no
-1	-3	yes
0	-1	no
1	1	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 1 = −3?

The solution of 2x − 1 = −3 is x = -1.

How do you solve 2x − 1 = −3?

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

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 2(-1) − 1 = -3, which is -3.

Solve 2x − 1 = −3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = −3

Questions

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