Solve 2x + 1 = −3

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

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

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The lines y = 2x + 1 and y = -3 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$2x + 1 = -3$
2
Subtract 1 from both sides:
$2x + 1 - 1 = -3 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -4$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-2) + 1 = -4 + 1 = -3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x + 1 = -3\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2x + 1 = -3 \]
\[ 2x + 1 - 1 = -3 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -4 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-2) + 1 = -4 + 1 = -3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x + 1 = −3

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

Questions

What is x in 2x + 1 = −3?

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

How do you solve 2x + 1 = −3?

Subtract 1 from 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 = -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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