4x – 1 = 7x – 16

Solve the problem
(Show your work)

x = 5

General Formulas and Concepts:

Pre-Algebra

Order of Operations: BPEMDAS

Brackets Parenthesis Exponents Multiplication Division Addition Subtraction Left to Right

Equality Properties

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Define equation

4x - 1 = 7x - 16

Step 2: Solve for x

Subtract 4x on both sides:                    -1 = 3x - 16Add 16 to both sides:                             15 = 3xDivide 3 on both sides:                          5 = xRewrite:                                                   x = 5

Step 3: Check

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

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

Here we see that 19 does indeed equal 19.

∴ x = 5 is a solution to the equation.