Solve 3x − 1 = −4

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

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −4

x	3x − 1	Equals -4?
-3	-10	no
-2	-7	no
-1	-4	yes
0	-1	no
1	2	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 1 = −4?

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

How do you solve 3x − 1 = −4?

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

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 3(-1) − 1 = -4, which is -4.

Solve 3x − 1 = −4

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 1 = −4

Questions

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