Solve 4x − 13 = −1

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

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

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

The lines y = 4x − 13 and y = -1 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.
$4x - 13 = -1$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$4x - 13 + 13 = -1 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = 12$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{12}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3$
4
Check: put x = 3 back into the equation.
$4\cdot3 - 13 = 12 - 13 = -1 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 13 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 4x - 13 = -1 \]
\[ 4x - 13 + 13 = -1 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = 12 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{12}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 4\cdot3 - 13 = 12 - 13 = -1 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 13 = −1

x	4x − 13	Equals -1?
1	-9	no
2	-5	no
3	-1	yes
4	3	no
5	7	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 13 = −1?

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

How do you solve 4x − 13 = −1?

Add 13 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) − 13 = -1, which is -1.

Solve 4x − 13 = −1

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 13 = −1

Questions

Similar equations