Solve 3x − 1 = −16

The solution of 3x − 1 = −16 is x = -5.

3x - 1 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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

The lines y = 3x − 1 and y = -16 meet at x = -5. 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.
$3x - 1 = -16$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$3x - 1 + 1 = -16 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -15$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-15}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-5) - 1 = -15 - 1 = -16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 1 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 3x - 1 = -16 \]
\[ 3x - 1 + 1 = -16 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -15 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-15}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-5) - 1 = -15 - 1 = -16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −16

x	3x − 1	Equals -16?
-7	-22	no
-6	-19	no
-5	-16	yes
-4	-13	no
-3	-10	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = −16?

The solution of 3x − 1 = −16 is x = -5.

How do you solve 3x − 1 = −16?

Add 1 to both sides to get 3x = -15, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 3(-5) − 1 = -16, which is -16.

Solve 3x − 1 = −16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −16

Questions

Similar equations