Solve 5x − 1 = −41

The solution of 5x − 1 = −41 is x = -8.

5x - 1 = -41\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 5x − 1 and y = -41 meet at x = -8. 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.
$5x - 1 = -41$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$5x - 1 + 1 = -41 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -40$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-40}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-8) - 1 = -40 - 1 = -41 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 1 = -41\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 5x - 1 = -41 \]
\[ 5x - 1 + 1 = -41 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -40 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-40}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-8) - 1 = -40 - 1 = -41 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −41

x	5x − 1	Equals -41?
-10	-51	no
-9	-46	no
-8	-41	yes
-7	-36	no
-6	-31	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = −41?

The solution of 5x − 1 = −41 is x = -8.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = −41?

Add 1 to both sides to get 5x = -40, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 5(-8) − 1 = -41, which is -41.

Solve 5x − 1 = −41

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −41

Questions

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