Solve 3x − 1 = 17

The solution of 3x − 1 = 17 is x = 6.

3x - 1 = 17\ \Rightarrow\ x = 6

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The lines y = 3x − 1 and y = 17 meet at x = 6. 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.
$3x - 1 = 17$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$3x - 1 + 1 = 17 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 18$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 6$
4
Check: put x = 6 back into the equation.
$3\cdot6 - 1 = 18 - 1 = 17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 1 = 17\ \Rightarrow\ x = 6 \]
\[ 3x - 1 = 17 \]
\[ 3x - 1 + 1 = 17 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 18 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 6 \]
\[ 3\cdot6 - 1 = 18 - 1 = 17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = 17

x	3x − 1	Equals 17?
4	11	no
5	14	no
6	17	yes
7	20	no
8	23	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = 17?

The solution of 3x − 1 = 17 is x = 6.

How do you solve 3x − 1 = 17?

Add 1 to both sides to get 3x = 18, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 6: 3(6) − 1 = 17, which is 17.

Solve 3x − 1 = 17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = 17

Questions

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