Question

How do you solve 3x – 1 = -13?

Answer 1

Hint: Here in this question, we need to find the value of ‘x’. We are given a linear equation in one variable. You should know that one variable means an unknown entity whose value needs to be found out. For knowing the unknown entity, all we have to do is leave that unknown variable alone and take all other terms on one side to simplify the equation.

Complete step by step answer:
Now, let’s discuss the question.
You already know that we will study linear equations for this question. Linear equation is basically an equation in which there is one or more than one unknown variable. For example: 5x + 4, 6x – 8y = 4 etc. When we say the word linear, it means straight. So it is that equation which gives us a straight line when plotted on the graph. For this particular question, we are given a linear equation in one variable. And this variable is unknown whose value needs to be found out. Now, let’s solve the equation for ‘x’.
$\Rightarrow $3x – 1 = -13
First, take all the constant terms on one side of the equation, we will get:
$\Rightarrow $3x = -13 + 1
Solve the constant terms:
$\Rightarrow $3x = -12
As we can see, 3 is in multiplication with ‘x’, when it will be taken to other side it will get divide:
$\Rightarrow x=\dfrac{-12}{3}$
We know that 12 lies in the table of 3, so we can easily reduce it and find the value of x:
$\therefore $x = -4
This is the final answer.

Note:
When we plot this line on graph, there also it will give us the same value for ‘x’. if you wish to verify the answer if it is correct or not, all you can do is plotting or check by putting the obtained value directly into the equation given. If it satisfies the equation that means the value of ‘x’ is correct.