Question

Select the correct answer.
What is the solution to the equation?
3x - 1 = -4

Answer 1

Answer: x = -1

Explanation: To get x, we need to isolate it.

- The first step to isolate the variable would be removing any constants, and in this case, that number is -1. To do this, remove it from the side it is on and the other side of the equals sign. You would add 1 which would remove it from its side and the other side as well. It should look like this after adding 1 to each side:

3x = -3

We add 1 because we always do the opposite of the constant’s sign. (In the problem, it is a negative 1, so it must change into a positive 1.

- Second, divide -3 by 3 since you also do the opposite with the variable. (3 times x is the equation, so we must divide.) Now, it should look like this:

x = -1

- You have isolated x. This is the solution to the equation.

Answer 2

Explanation:

3x - 1 = -4

First add the 1 (because it is negative) to -4, hence making it -3.

So now you are left with:

3x = -3

So divide each side by 3 to get:

x = -1