Solve 4x − 3 = −31

The solution of 4x − 3 = −31 is x = -7.

4x - 3 = -31\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 4x − 3 and y = -31 meet at x = -7. 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.
$4x - 3 = -31$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$4x - 3 + 3 = -31 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -28$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-28}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-7) - 3 = -28 - 3 = -31 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 3 = -31\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 4x - 3 = -31 \]
\[ 4x - 3 + 3 = -31 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -28 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-28}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-7) - 3 = -28 - 3 = -31 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 3 = −31

x	4x − 3	Equals -31?
-9	-39	no
-8	-35	no
-7	-31	yes
-6	-27	no
-5	-23	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 3 = −31?

The solution of 4x − 3 = −31 is x = -7.

How do you solve 4x − 3 = −31?

Add 3 to both sides to get 4x = -28, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 4(-7) − 3 = -31, which is -31.

Solve 4x − 3 = −31

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 3 = −31

Questions

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