Question

4x – 1 = 7x – 16

Solve the problem
(Show your work)

Answer 1

4x−1=7x−16

Step 1: Subtract 7x from both sides.

4x−1−7x=7x−16−7x

−3x−1=−16

Step 2: Add 1 to both sides.

−3x−1+1=−16+1

−3x=−15

Step 3: Divide both sides by -3.

−3x

−3

=

−15

−3

x=5

Explanation:

Answer 2

x = 5

General Formulas and Concepts:

Pre-Algebra

Order of Operations: BPEMDAS

1. Brackets
2. Parenthesis
3. Exponents
4. Multiplication
5. Division
6. Addition
7. Subtraction

• Left to Right

Equality Properties

Explanation:

Step 1: Define equation

4x - 1 = 7x - 16

Step 2: Solve for x

1. Subtract 4x on both sides: -1 = 3x - 16
2. Add 16 to both sides: 15 = 3x
3. Divide 3 on both sides: 5 = x
4. Rewrite: x = 5

Step 3: Check

Plug in x into the original equation to verify it's a solution.

1. Substitute in x: 4(5) - 1 = 7(5) - 16
2. Multiply: 20 - 1 = 35 - 16
3. Subtract: 19 = 19

Here we see that 19 does indeed equal 19.

∴ x = 5 is a solution to the equation.