Solve four times x plus one equals three. We want to find the value of x. Keep the equation balanced by doing the same thing to both sides.
The variable term is four times x. First, we need to remove the extra one from the left side.
Subtract one from both sides. Four times x now equals two. Notice that three minus one is two.
Divide both sides by four. X equals two divided by four, which simplifies to one half.
Check by substitution. Four times one half is two. Add one, and we get three, just like the right side. The answer works.
A common mistake is to add one on the right while removing it on the left. Instead, subtract one from both sides.
Remember: keep both sides balanced, divide by the nonzero coefficient, and check by substitution. The final answer is one half.