Solve 7x − 1 = −57

The solution of 7x − 1 = −57 is x = -8.

7x - 1 = -57\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8

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The lines y = 7x − 1 and y = -57 meet at x = -8. 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.
$7x - 1 = -57$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$7x - 1 + 1 = -57 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -56$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-56}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8$
4
Check: put x = -8 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-8) - 1 = -56 - 1 = -57 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 1 = -57\ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 7x - 1 = -57 \]
\[ 7x - 1 + 1 = -57 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -56 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-56}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -8 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-8) - 1 = -56 - 1 = -57 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = −57

x	7x − 1	Equals -57?
-10	-71	no
-9	-64	no
-8	-57	yes
-7	-50	no
-6	-43	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 1 = −57?

The solution of 7x − 1 = −57 is x = -8.

How do you solve 7x − 1 = −57?

Add 1 to both sides to get 7x = -56, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -8.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -8: 7(-8) − 1 = -57, which is -57.

Solve 7x − 1 = −57

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = −57

Questions

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