Solve 4x − 5 = −1

The solution of 4x − 5 = −1 is x = 1.

4x - 5 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1

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The lines y = 4x − 5 and y = -1 meet at x = 1. 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.
$4x - 5 = -1$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$4x - 5 + 5 = -1 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = 4$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{4}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1$
4
Check: put x = 1 back into the equation.
$4\cdot1 - 5 = 4 - 5 = -1 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 5 = -1\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 4x - 5 = -1 \]
\[ 4x - 5 + 5 = -1 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = 4 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{4}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 4\cdot1 - 5 = 4 - 5 = -1 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 5 = −1

x	4x − 5	Equals -1?
-1	-9	no
0	-5	no
1	-1	yes
2	3	no
3	7	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 5 = −1?

The solution of 4x − 5 = −1 is x = 1.

How do you solve 4x − 5 = −1?

Add 5 to both sides to get 4x = 4, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = 1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 1: 4(1) − 5 = -1, which is -1.

Solve 4x − 5 = −1

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 5 = −1

Questions

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