Solve 2x − 3 = −1

The solution of 2x − 3 = −1 is x = 1.

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

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 2x − 3 and y = -1 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.
$2x - 3 = -1$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$2x - 3 + 3 = -1 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 2$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{2}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1$
4
Check: put x = 1 back into the equation.
$2\cdot1 - 3 = 2 - 3 = -1 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 3 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 2x - 3 = -1 \]
\[ 2x - 3 + 3 = -1 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 2 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{2}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 2\cdot1 - 3 = 2 - 3 = -1 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −1

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

Questions

What is x in 2x − 3 = −1?

The solution of 2x − 3 = −1 is x = 1.

How do you solve 2x − 3 = −1?

Add 3 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) − 3 = -1, which is -1.

Solve 2x − 3 = −1

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 3 = −1

Questions

Similar equations