Solve 4x − 15 = −51

The solution of 4x − 15 = −51 is x = -9.

4x - 15 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 4x − 15 and y = -51 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.
$4x - 15 = -51$
2
Add 15 to both sides:
$4x - 15 + 15 = -51 + 15 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -36$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-36}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-9) - 15 = -36 - 15 = -51 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 15 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 4x - 15 = -51 \]
\[ 4x - 15 + 15 = -51 + 15 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -36 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-36}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-9) - 15 = -36 - 15 = -51 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 15 = −51

x	4x − 15	Equals -51?
-11	-59	no
-10	-55	no
-9	-51	yes
-8	-47	no
-7	-43	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 15 = −51?

The solution of 4x − 15 = −51 is x = -9.

How do you solve 4x − 15 = −51?

Add 15 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) − 15 = -51, which is -51.

Solve 4x − 15 = −51

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 15 = −51

Questions

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