Solve 5x − 1 = −51

The solution of 5x − 1 = −51 is x = -10.

5x - 1 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 5x − 1 and y = -51 meet at x = -10. 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.
$5x - 1 = -51$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$5x - 1 + 1 = -51 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -50$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-50}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10$
4
Check: put x = -10 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-10) - 1 = -50 - 1 = -51 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 1 = -51\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 5x - 1 = -51 \]
\[ 5x - 1 + 1 = -51 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -50 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-50}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-10) - 1 = -50 - 1 = -51 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −51

x	5x − 1	Equals -51?
-12	-61	no
-11	-56	no
-10	-51	yes
-9	-46	no
-8	-41	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 1 = −51?

The solution of 5x − 1 = −51 is x = -10.

How do you solve 5x − 1 = −51?

Add 1 to both sides to get 5x = -50, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -10.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -10: 5(-10) − 1 = -51, which is -51.

Solve 5x − 1 = −51

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 1 = −51

Questions

Similar equations