Solve 3x − 1 = −19

The solution of 3x − 1 = −19 is x = -6.

3x - 1 = -19\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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

The lines y = 3x − 1 and y = -19 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.
$3x - 1 = -19$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$3x - 1 + 1 = -19 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -18$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-6) - 1 = -18 - 1 = -19 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 1 = -19\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 3x - 1 = -19 \]
\[ 3x - 1 + 1 = -19 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -18 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-18}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-6) - 1 = -18 - 1 = -19 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −19

x	3x − 1	Equals -19?
-8	-25	no
-7	-22	no
-6	-19	yes
-5	-16	no
-4	-13	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = −19?

The solution of 3x − 1 = −19 is x = -6.

How do you solve 3x − 1 = −19?

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 = -19, which is -19.

Solve 3x − 1 = −19

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −19

Questions

Similar equations