Solve 4x − 1 = −17

The solution of 4x − 1 = −17 is x = -4.

4x - 1 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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The lines y = 4x − 1 and y = -17 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.
$4x - 1 = -17$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$4x - 1 + 1 = -17 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -16$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-16}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-4) - 1 = -16 - 1 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 1 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 4x - 1 = -17 \]
\[ 4x - 1 + 1 = -17 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -16 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-16}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-4) - 1 = -16 - 1 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −17

x	4x − 1	Equals -17?
-6	-25	no
-5	-21	no
-4	-17	yes
-3	-13	no
-2	-9	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 1 = −17?

The solution of 4x − 1 = −17 is x = -4.

How do you solve 4x − 1 = −17?

Add 1 to both sides to get 4x = -16, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 4(-4) − 1 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 4x − 1 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −17

Questions

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