Solve 4x − 11 = −31

The solution of 4x − 11 = −31 is x = -5.

4x - 11 = -31\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 4x − 11 and y = -31 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.
$4x - 11 = -31$
2
Add 11 to both sides:
$4x - 11 + 11 = -31 + 11 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -20$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-20}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-5) - 11 = -20 - 11 = -31 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 11 = -31\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 4x - 11 = -31 \]
\[ 4x - 11 + 11 = -31 + 11 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -20 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-20}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-5) - 11 = -20 - 11 = -31 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 11 = −31

x	4x − 11	Equals -31?
-7	-39	no
-6	-35	no
-5	-31	yes
-4	-27	no
-3	-23	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 11 = −31?

The solution of 4x − 11 = −31 is x = -5.

How do you solve 4x − 11 = −31?

Add 11 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) − 11 = -31, which is -31.

Solve 4x − 11 = −31

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 11 = −31

Questions

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