Solve 2x − 7 = −1

The solution of 2x − 7 = −1 is x = 3.

2x - 7 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3

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The lines y = 2x − 7 and y = -1 meet at x = 3. 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.
$2x - 7 = -1$
2
Add 7 to both sides:
$2x - 7 + 7 = -1 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3$
4
Check: put x = 3 back into the equation.
$2\cdot3 - 7 = 6 - 7 = -1 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 7 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2x - 7 = -1 \]
\[ 2x - 7 + 7 = -1 + 7 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 6 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 2\cdot3 - 7 = 6 - 7 = -1 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 7 = −1

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

Questions

What is x in 2x − 7 = −1?

The solution of 2x − 7 = −1 is x = 3.

How do you solve 2x − 7 = −1?

Add 7 to both sides to get 2x = 6, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 3: 2(3) − 7 = -1, which is -1.

Solve 2x − 7 = −1

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 7 = −1

Questions

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