Solve for x 3x+7=-x-1

$3 x + 7 = - x - 1$

Step 1

Move all terms containing $x$ to the left side of the equation.

Add $x$ to both sides of the equation.

$3 x + 7 + x = - 1$

Add $3 x$ and $x$ .

$4 x + 7 = - 1$

Step 2

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Subtract $7$ from both sides of the equation.

$4 x = - 1 - 7$

Subtract $7$ from $- 1$ .

$4 x = - 8$

Step 3

Divide each term in $4 x = - 8$ by $4$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $4 x = - 8$ by $4$ .

$\frac{4 x}{4} = \frac{- 8}{4}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $4$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{4 x}{4} = \frac{- 8}{4}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{- 8}{4}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $- 8$ by $4$ .

$x = - 2$