Solve 2x − 1 = −5

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

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 1 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2x - 1 = -5 \]
\[ 2x - 1 + 1 = -5 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -4 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-2) - 1 = -4 - 1 = -5 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = −5

x	2x − 1	Equals -5?
-4	-9	no
-3	-7	no
-2	-5	yes
-1	-3	no
0	-1	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 1 = −5?

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

How do you solve 2x − 1 = −5?

Add 1 to both sides to get 2x = -4, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

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

Solve 2x − 1 = −5

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = −5

Questions

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