Solve 4x − 1 = −21

The solution of 4x − 1 = −21 is x = -5.

4x - 1 = -21\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 4x − 1 and y = -21 meet at x = -5. 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.
$4x - 1 = -21$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$4x - 1 + 1 = -21 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -20$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-20}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-5) - 1 = -20 - 1 = -21 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 1 = -21\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 4x - 1 = -21 \]
\[ 4x - 1 + 1 = -21 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -20 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-20}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-5) - 1 = -20 - 1 = -21 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −21

x	4x − 1	Equals -21?
-7	-29	no
-6	-25	no
-5	-21	yes
-4	-17	no
-3	-13	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 1 = −21?

The solution of 4x − 1 = −21 is x = -5.

How do you solve 4x − 1 = −21?

Add 1 to both sides to get 4x = -20, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 4(-5) − 1 = -21, which is -21.

Solve 4x − 1 = −21

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −21

Questions

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