Solve 12x − 1 = −73

The solution of 12x − 1 = −73 is x = -6.

12x - 1 = -73\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6

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The lines y = 12x − 1 and y = -73 meet at x = -6. 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.
$12x - 1 = -73$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$12x - 1 + 1 = -73 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -72$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-72}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6$
4
Check: put x = -6 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-6) - 1 = -72 - 1 = -73 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 1 = -73\ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 12x - 1 = -73 \]
\[ 12x - 1 + 1 = -73 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -72 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-72}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -6 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-6) - 1 = -72 - 1 = -73 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −73

x	12x − 1	Equals -73?
-8	-97	no
-7	-85	no
-6	-73	yes
-5	-61	no
-4	-49	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 1 = −73?

The solution of 12x − 1 = −73 is x = -6.

How do you solve 12x − 1 = −73?

Add 1 to both sides to get 12x = -72, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -6.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -6: 12(-6) − 1 = -73, which is -73.

Solve 12x − 1 = −73

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −73

Questions

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