Solve 3x − 1 = 11

The solution of 3x − 1 = 11 is x = 4.

3x - 1 = 11\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4

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The lines y = 3x − 1 and y = 11 meet at x = 4. 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.
$3x - 1 = 11$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$3x - 1 + 1 = 11 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 12$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4$
4
Check: put x = 4 back into the equation.
$3\cdot4 - 1 = 12 - 1 = 11 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 1 = 11\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 3x - 1 = 11 \]
\[ 3x - 1 + 1 = 11 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 12 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 3\cdot4 - 1 = 12 - 1 = 11 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = 11

x	3x − 1	Equals 11?
2	5	no
3	8	no
4	11	yes
5	14	no
6	17	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = 11?

The solution of 3x − 1 = 11 is x = 4.

How do you solve 3x − 1 = 11?

Add 1 to both sides to get 3x = 12, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 4: 3(4) − 1 = 11, which is 11.

Solve 3x − 1 = 11

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = 11

Questions

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