Solve 12x − 1 = −13

The solution of 12x − 1 = −13 is x = -1.

12x - 1 = -13\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 12x − 1 and y = -13 meet at x = -1. 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.
$12x - 1 = -13$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$12x - 1 + 1 = -13 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-12}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-1) - 1 = -12 - 1 = -13 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 1 = -13\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 12x - 1 = -13 \]
\[ 12x - 1 + 1 = -13 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-12}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-1) - 1 = -12 - 1 = -13 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −13

x	12x − 1	Equals -13?
-3	-37	no
-2	-25	no
-1	-13	yes
0	-1	no
1	11	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 1 = −13?

The solution of 12x − 1 = −13 is x = -1.

How do you solve 12x − 1 = −13?

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

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 12(-1) − 1 = -13, which is -13.

Solve 12x − 1 = −13

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −13

Questions

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