Solve 4x − 1 = −37

The solution of 4x − 1 = −37 is x = -9.

4x - 1 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 4x − 1 and y = -37 meet at x = -9. 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.
$4x - 1 = -37$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$4x - 1 + 1 = -37 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -36$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-36}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-9) - 1 = -36 - 1 = -37 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 1 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 4x - 1 = -37 \]
\[ 4x - 1 + 1 = -37 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -36 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-36}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-9) - 1 = -36 - 1 = -37 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −37

x	4x − 1	Equals -37?
-11	-45	no
-10	-41	no
-9	-37	yes
-8	-33	no
-7	-29	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 1 = −37?

The solution of 4x − 1 = −37 is x = -9.

How do you solve 4x − 1 = −37?

Add 1 to both sides to get 4x = -36, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 4(-9) − 1 = -37, which is -37.

Solve 4x − 1 = −37

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 1 = −37

Questions

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