Solve 5x − 1 = 59

The solution of 5x − 1 = 59 is x = 12.

5x - 1 = 59\ \Rightarrow\ x = 12

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

The lines y = 5x − 1 and y = 59 meet at x = 12. 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.
$5x - 1 = 59$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$5x - 1 + 1 = 59 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 60$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{60}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 12$
4
Check: put x = 12 back into the equation.
$5\cdot12 - 1 = 60 - 1 = 59 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 1 = 59\ \Rightarrow\ x = 12 \]
\[ 5x - 1 = 59 \]
\[ 5x - 1 + 1 = 59 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 60 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{60}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 12 \]
\[ 5\cdot12 - 1 = 60 - 1 = 59 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = 59

x	5x − 1	Equals 59?
10	49	no
11	54	no
12	59	yes
13	64	no
14	69	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = 59?

The solution of 5x − 1 = 59 is x = 12.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = 59?

Add 1 to both sides to get 5x = 60, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = 12.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 12: 5(12) − 1 = 59, which is 59.

Solve 5x − 1 = 59

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = 59

Questions

Similar equations