Solve 5x − 1 = −31

The solution of 5x − 1 = −31 is x = -6.

5x - 1 = -31\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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The lines y = 5x − 1 and y = -31 meet at x = -6. 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.
$5x - 1 = -31$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$5x - 1 + 1 = -31 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -30$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-30}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-6) - 1 = -30 - 1 = -31 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 1 = -31\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 5x - 1 = -31 \]
\[ 5x - 1 + 1 = -31 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -30 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-30}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-6) - 1 = -30 - 1 = -31 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −31

x	5x − 1	Equals -31?
-8	-41	no
-7	-36	no
-6	-31	yes
-5	-26	no
-4	-21	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = −31?

The solution of 5x − 1 = −31 is x = -6.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = −31?

Add 1 to both sides to get 5x = -30, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 5(-6) − 1 = -31, which is -31.

Solve 5x − 1 = −31

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −31

Questions

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