Solve 3x − 1 = 32

The solution of 3x − 1 = 32 is x = 11.

3x - 1 = 32\ \Rightarrow\ x = 11

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 3x − 1 and y = 32 meet at x = 11. 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.
$3x - 1 = 32$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$3x - 1 + 1 = 32 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 33$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{33}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 11$
4
Check: put x = 11 back into the equation.
$3\cdot11 - 1 = 33 - 1 = 32 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 1 = 32\ \Rightarrow\ x = 11 \]
\[ 3x - 1 = 32 \]
\[ 3x - 1 + 1 = 32 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 33 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{33}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 11 \]
\[ 3\cdot11 - 1 = 33 - 1 = 32 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = 32

x	3x − 1	Equals 32?
9	26	no
10	29	no
11	32	yes
12	35	no
13	38	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = 32?

The solution of 3x − 1 = 32 is x = 11.

How do you solve 3x − 1 = 32?

Add 1 to both sides to get 3x = 33, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 11.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 11: 3(11) − 1 = 32, which is 32.

Solve 3x − 1 = 32

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = 32

Questions

Similar equations