Solve 5x − 1 = −11

The solution of 5x − 1 = −11 is x = -2.

5x - 1 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 5x − 1 and y = -11 meet at x = -2. 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.
$5x - 1 = -11$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$5x - 1 + 1 = -11 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -10$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-10}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-2) - 1 = -10 - 1 = -11 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 1 = -11\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 5x - 1 = -11 \]
\[ 5x - 1 + 1 = -11 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -10 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-10}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-2) - 1 = -10 - 1 = -11 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −11

x	5x − 1	Equals -11?
-4	-21	no
-3	-16	no
-2	-11	yes
-1	-6	no
0	-1	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = −11?

The solution of 5x − 1 = −11 is x = -2.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = −11?

Add 1 to both sides to get 5x = -10, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 5(-2) − 1 = -11, which is -11.

Solve 5x − 1 = −11

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −11

Questions

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