Solve 5x − 1 = −26

The solution of 5x − 1 = −26 is x = -5.

5x - 1 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 5x − 1 and y = -26 meet at x = -5. 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.
$5x - 1 = -26$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$5x - 1 + 1 = -26 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -25$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-25}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-5) - 1 = -25 - 1 = -26 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 1 = -26\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 5x - 1 = -26 \]
\[ 5x - 1 + 1 = -26 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -25 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-25}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-5) - 1 = -25 - 1 = -26 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −26

x	5x − 1	Equals -26?
-7	-36	no
-6	-31	no
-5	-26	yes
-4	-21	no
-3	-16	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = −26?

The solution of 5x − 1 = −26 is x = -5.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = −26?

Add 1 to both sides to get 5x = -25, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 5(-5) − 1 = -26, which is -26.

Solve 5x − 1 = −26

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −26

Questions

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