Solve 5x − 1 = 4

The solution of 5x − 1 = 4 is x = 1.

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = 4

x	5x − 1	Equals 4?
-1	-6	no
0	-1	no
1	4	yes
2	9	no
3	14	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = 4?

The solution of 5x − 1 = 4 is x = 1.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = 4?

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

How do I check the answer?

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

Solve 5x − 1 = 4

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = 4

Questions

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