Solve 3x + 1 = −2

The solution of 3x + 1 = −2 is x = -1.

3x + 1 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 1 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 3x + 1 = -2 \]
\[ 3x + 1 - 1 = -2 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -3 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-3}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-1) + 1 = -3 + 1 = -2 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 1 = −2

x	3x + 1	Equals -2?
-3	-8	no
-2	-5	no
-1	-2	yes
0	1	no
1	4	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 1 = −2?

The solution of 3x + 1 = −2 is x = -1.

How do you solve 3x + 1 = −2?

Subtract 1 from 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 = -2, which is -2.

Solve 3x + 1 = −2

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 1 = −2

Questions

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