Solve 3x − 1 = −25

The solution of 3x − 1 = −25 is x = -8.

3x - 1 = -25\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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

The lines y = 3x − 1 and y = -25 meet at x = -8. 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.
$3x - 1 = -25$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$3x - 1 + 1 = -25 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-8) - 1 = -24 - 1 = -25 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 1 = -25\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3x - 1 = -25 \]
\[ 3x - 1 + 1 = -25 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -24 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-24}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-8) - 1 = -24 - 1 = -25 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −25

x	3x − 1	Equals -25?
-10	-31	no
-9	-28	no
-8	-25	yes
-7	-22	no
-6	-19	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = −25?

The solution of 3x − 1 = −25 is x = -8.

How do you solve 3x − 1 = −25?

Add 1 to both sides to get 3x = -24, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 3(-8) − 1 = -25, which is -25.

Solve 3x − 1 = −25

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −25

Questions

Similar equations