Solve 7x − 1 = −71

The solution of 7x − 1 = −71 is x = -10.

7x - 1 = -71\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10

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The lines y = 7x − 1 and y = -71 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.
$7x - 1 = -71$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$7x - 1 + 1 = -71 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -70$
3
Divide both sides by 7:
$\frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-70}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10$
4
Check: put x = -10 back into the equation.
$7\cdot(-10) - 1 = -70 - 1 = -71 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 7x - 1 = -71\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 7x - 1 = -71 \]
\[ 7x - 1 + 1 = -71 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 7x = -70 \]
\[ \frac{7x}{7} = \frac{-70}{7} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 7\cdot(-10) - 1 = -70 - 1 = -71 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = −71

x	7x − 1	Equals -71?
-12	-85	no
-11	-78	no
-10	-71	yes
-9	-64	no
-8	-57	no

Questions

What is x in 7x − 1 = −71?

The solution of 7x − 1 = −71 is x = -10.

How do you solve 7x − 1 = −71?

Add 1 to both sides to get 7x = -70, then divide both sides by 7 to get x = -10.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -10: 7(-10) − 1 = -71, which is -71.

Solve 7x − 1 = −71

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 7x − 1 = −71

Questions

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