Solve 12x − 1 = −109

The solution of 12x − 1 = −109 is x = -9.

12x - 1 = -109\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 12x − 1 and y = -109 meet at x = -9. The solution of the equation is the x-coordinate of the point where the two sides are equal.

How to work it out

1
The goal is to get x alone. Undo the operations in the opposite order: first the subtraction, then the multiplication.
$12x - 1 = -109$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$12x - 1 + 1 = -109 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -108$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-108}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-9) - 1 = -108 - 1 = -109 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 1 = -109\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 12x - 1 = -109 \]
\[ 12x - 1 + 1 = -109 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -108 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-108}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-9) - 1 = -108 - 1 = -109 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −109

x	12x − 1	Equals -109?
-11	-133	no
-10	-121	no
-9	-109	yes
-8	-97	no
-7	-85	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 1 = −109?

The solution of 12x − 1 = −109 is x = -9.

How do you solve 12x − 1 = −109?

Add 1 to both sides to get 12x = -108, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 12(-9) − 1 = -109, which is -109.

Solve 12x − 1 = −109

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −109

Questions

Similar equations