Solve 7x − 1 = 20

The solution of 7x − 1 = 20 is x = 3.

7x - 1 = 20\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3

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The lines y = 7x − 1 and y = 20 meet at x = 3. 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.
$7x - 1 = 20$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$7x - 1 + 1 = 20 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = 21$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{21}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3$
4
Check: put x = 3 back into the equation.
$7\cdot3 - 1 = 21 - 1 = 20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 1 = 20\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 7x - 1 = 20 \]
\[ 7x - 1 + 1 = 20 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = 21 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{21}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 7\cdot3 - 1 = 21 - 1 = 20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = 20

x	7x − 1	Equals 20?
1	6	no
2	13	no
3	20	yes
4	27	no
5	34	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 1 = 20?

The solution of 7x − 1 = 20 is x = 3.

How do you solve 7x − 1 = 20?

Add 1 to both sides to get 7x = 21, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = 3.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 3: 7(3) − 1 = 20, which is 20.

Solve 7x − 1 = 20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = 20

Questions

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