Solve 2x + 3 = −1

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

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −1

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

Questions

What is x in 2x + 3 = −1?

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

How do you solve 2x + 3 = −1?

Subtract 3 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) + 3 = -1, which is -1.

Solve 2x + 3 = −1

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x + 3 = −1

Questions

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