Solve 5x − 1 = −46

The solution of 5x − 1 = −46 is x = -9.

5x - 1 = -46\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

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The lines y = 5x − 1 and y = -46 meet at x = -9. 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.
$5x - 1 = -46$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$5x - 1 + 1 = -46 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -45$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-45}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-9) - 1 = -45 - 1 = -46 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 1 = -46\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 5x - 1 = -46 \]
\[ 5x - 1 + 1 = -46 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -45 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-45}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-9) - 1 = -45 - 1 = -46 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −46

x	5x − 1	Equals -46?
-11	-56	no
-10	-51	no
-9	-46	yes
-8	-41	no
-7	-36	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = −46?

The solution of 5x − 1 = −46 is x = -9.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = −46?

Add 1 to both sides to get 5x = -45, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 5(-9) − 1 = -46, which is -46.

Solve 5x − 1 = −46

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −46

Questions

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