Solve 5x + 1 = −4

The solution of 5x + 1 = −4 is x = -1.

5x + 1 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 5x + 1 and y = -4 meet at x = -1. 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$5x + 1 = -4$
2
Subtract 1 from both sides:
$5x + 1 - 1 = -4 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -5$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-1) + 1 = -5 + 1 = -4 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x + 1 = -4\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 5x + 1 = -4 \]
\[ 5x + 1 - 1 = -4 - 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -5 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-1) + 1 = -5 + 1 = -4 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x + 1 = −4

x	5x + 1	Equals -4?
-3	-14	no
-2	-9	no
-1	-4	yes
0	1	no
1	6	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 1 = −4?

The solution of 5x + 1 = −4 is x = -1.

How do you solve 5x + 1 = −4?

Subtract 1 from both sides to get 5x = -5, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 5(-1) + 1 = -4, which is -4.

Solve 5x + 1 = −4

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 1 = −4

Questions

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