Solve 3x − 1 = −13

The solution of 3x − 1 = −13 is x = -4.

3x - 1 = -13\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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The lines y = 3x − 1 and y = -13 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.
$3x - 1 = -13$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$3x - 1 + 1 = -13 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-4) - 1 = -12 - 1 = -13 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 1 = -13\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 3x - 1 = -13 \]
\[ 3x - 1 + 1 = -13 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-4) - 1 = -12 - 1 = -13 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −13

x	3x − 1	Equals -13?
-6	-19	no
-5	-16	no
-4	-13	yes
-3	-10	no
-2	-7	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = −13?

The solution of 3x − 1 = −13 is x = -4.

How do you solve 3x − 1 = −13?

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 = -13, which is -13.

Solve 3x − 1 = −13

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −13

Questions

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