Solve 3x + 1 = −5

The solution of 3x + 1 = −5 is x = -2.

3x + 1 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 3x + 1 and y = -5 meet at x = -2. 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.
$3x + 1 = -5$
2
Subtract 1 from both sides:
$3x + 1 - 1 = -5 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -6$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-6}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-2) + 1 = -6 + 1 = -5 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 1 = -5\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 3x + 1 = -5 \]
\[ 3x + 1 - 1 = -5 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -6 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-6}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-2) + 1 = -6 + 1 = -5 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 1 = −5

x	3x + 1	Equals -5?
-4	-11	no
-3	-8	no
-2	-5	yes
-1	-2	no
0	1	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 1 = −5?

The solution of 3x + 1 = −5 is x = -2.

How do you solve 3x + 1 = −5?

Subtract 1 from both sides to get 3x = -6, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 3(-2) + 1 = -5, which is -5.

Solve 3x + 1 = −5

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 1 = −5

Questions

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