Solve 4x − 5 = −9

The solution of 4x − 5 = −9 is x = -1.

4x - 5 = -9\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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

The lines y = 4x − 5 and y = -9 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.
$4x - 5 = -9$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$4x - 5 + 5 = -9 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -4$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-4}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-1) - 5 = -4 - 5 = -9 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 5 = -9\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 4x - 5 = -9 \]
\[ 4x - 5 + 5 = -9 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -4 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-4}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-1) - 5 = -4 - 5 = -9 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 5 = −9

x	4x − 5	Equals -9?
-3	-17	no
-2	-13	no
-1	-9	yes
0	-5	no
1	-1	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 5 = −9?

The solution of 4x − 5 = −9 is x = -1.

How do you solve 4x − 5 = −9?

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 = -9, which is -9.

Solve 4x − 5 = −9

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 5 = −9

Questions

Similar equations