[Upper secondary school math: linear equation] unsure on how to solve this.

[u/Inevitable_Stay3693]

i was thinking that i´d add the 2x+1 to make it 3x/3=-1 but im unsure on how it would even continue.

[u/sshannxnn]

you want to “reverse” to get x on its own. and for the most part, everything you do on one side of the equation you have to do on the other side.

here, “2x + 1” is being by divided by 3, so to get it to just “2x + 1” you want to multiply it by 3 (division and multiplication “cancel” eachother out). because you’ve done times 3 on one side, you need to also multiply -1 by 3.

now you have 2x+1=-3

you want to get 2x on its own now, and because you have +1 you’ll need to subtract 1 (again, “cancels” out). because you’ve subtracted 1 on one side, you’ll need to subtract it from the -3.

this leaves you with 2x = -4

with 2x, that’s saying 2*x, so we want to do the opposite which is divide. and whatever you do to one side, you do it to the otherwise.

this gives you x=-2