Question

How do you solve `\sqrt { - 8x + 1} = 5`?

Answer 1

`x=-3`

Explanation:

`\sqrt{-8x+1}=5`

Square both sides (cancels out square root):
`-8x+1=5^2`
`-8x+1=25`

Isolate the `-8x`:
`-8x=25-1`
`-8x=24`

Divide all by `-8` to solve for `x`:
`x=24\div(-8)`
`x=-3`