Solve 3x − 13 = −1

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

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

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The lines y = 3x − 13 and y = -1 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.
$3x - 13 = -1$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$3x - 13 + 13 = -1 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 12$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4$
4
Check: put x = 4 back into the equation.
$3\cdot4 - 13 = 12 - 13 = -1 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 13 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 3x - 13 = -1 \]
\[ 3x - 13 + 13 = -1 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 12 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 3\cdot4 - 13 = 12 - 13 = -1 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 13 = −1

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

Questions

What is x in 3x − 13 = −1?

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

How do you solve 3x − 13 = −1?

Add 13 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) − 13 = -1, which is -1.

Solve 3x − 13 = −1

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 13 = −1

Questions

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