Solve 3x + 1 = −11

The solution of 3x + 1 = −11 is x = -4.

3x + 1 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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

The lines y = 3x + 1 and y = -11 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$3x + 1 = -11$
2
Subtract 1 from both sides:
$3x + 1 - 1 = -11 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-4) + 1 = -12 + 1 = -11 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 1 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 3x + 1 = -11 \]
\[ 3x + 1 - 1 = -11 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-12}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-4) + 1 = -12 + 1 = -11 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 1 = −11

x	3x + 1	Equals -11?
-6	-17	no
-5	-14	no
-4	-11	yes
-3	-8	no
-2	-5	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 1 = −11?

The solution of 3x + 1 = −11 is x = -4.

How do you solve 3x + 1 = −11?

Subtract 1 from 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) + 1 = -11, which is -11.

Solve 3x + 1 = −11

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 1 = −11

Questions

Similar equations