Solve 4x − 1 = −13

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

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

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −13

x	4x − 1	Equals -13?
-5	-21	no
-4	-17	no
-3	-13	yes
-2	-9	no
-1	-5	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 1 = −13?

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

How do you solve 4x − 1 = −13?

Add 1 to both sides to get 4x = -12, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = -3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -3: 4(-3) − 1 = -13, which is -13.

Solve 4x − 1 = −13

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −13

Questions

Similar equations