Solve 2x + 5 = −1

The solution of 2x + 5 = −1 is x = -3.

2x + 5 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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The lines y = 2x + 5 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$2x + 5 = -1$
2
Subtract 5 from both sides:
$2x + 5 - 5 = -1 - 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -6$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-3) + 5 = -6 + 5 = -1 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x + 5 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 2x + 5 = -1 \]
\[ 2x + 5 - 5 = -1 - 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -6 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-6}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-3) + 5 = -6 + 5 = -1 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x + 5 = −1

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

Questions

What is x in 2x + 5 = −1?

The solution of 2x + 5 = −1 is x = -3.

How do you solve 2x + 5 = −1?

Subtract 5 from 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) + 5 = -1, which is -1.

Solve 2x + 5 = −1

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x + 5 = −1

Questions

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