Solve 12x − 1 = −85

The solution of 12x − 1 = −85 is x = -7.

12x - 1 = -85\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 12x − 1 and y = -85 meet at x = -7. 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.
$12x - 1 = -85$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$12x - 1 + 1 = -85 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -84$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-84}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-7) - 1 = -84 - 1 = -85 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 1 = -85\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 12x - 1 = -85 \]
\[ 12x - 1 + 1 = -85 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -84 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-84}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-7) - 1 = -84 - 1 = -85 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −85

x	12x − 1	Equals -85?
-9	-109	no
-8	-97	no
-7	-85	yes
-6	-73	no
-5	-61	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 1 = −85?

The solution of 12x − 1 = −85 is x = -7.

How do you solve 12x − 1 = −85?

Add 1 to both sides to get 12x = -84, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 12(-7) − 1 = -85, which is -85.

Solve 12x − 1 = −85

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 1 = −85

Questions

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