Solve 12x − 1 = −61

The solution of 12x − 1 = −61 is x = -5.

12x - 1 = -61\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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

The lines y = 12x − 1 and y = -61 meet at x = -5. 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.
$12x - 1 = -61$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$12x - 1 + 1 = -61 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -60$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-60}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-5) - 1 = -60 - 1 = -61 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 1 = -61\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 12x - 1 = -61 \]
\[ 12x - 1 + 1 = -61 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -60 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-60}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-5) - 1 = -60 - 1 = -61 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −61

x	12x − 1	Equals -61?
-7	-85	no
-6	-73	no
-5	-61	yes
-4	-49	no
-3	-37	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 1 = −61?

The solution of 12x − 1 = −61 is x = -5.

How do you solve 12x − 1 = −61?

Add 1 to both sides to get 12x = -60, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 12(-5) − 1 = -61, which is -61.

Solve 12x − 1 = −61

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −61

Questions

Similar equations