Solve 7x − 1 = −36

The solution of 7x − 1 = −36 is x = -5.

7x - 1 = -36\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 7x − 1 and y = -36 meet at x = -5. 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.
$7x - 1 = -36$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$7x - 1 + 1 = -36 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -35$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-35}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-5) - 1 = -35 - 1 = -36 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 1 = -36\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 7x - 1 = -36 \]
\[ 7x - 1 + 1 = -36 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -35 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-35}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-5) - 1 = -35 - 1 = -36 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = −36

x	7x − 1	Equals -36?
-7	-50	no
-6	-43	no
-5	-36	yes
-4	-29	no
-3	-22	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 1 = −36?

The solution of 7x − 1 = −36 is x = -5.

How do you solve 7x − 1 = −36?

Add 1 to both sides to get 7x = -35, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 7(-5) − 1 = -36, which is -36.

Solve 7x − 1 = −36

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = −36

Questions

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