Solve 12x − 12 = −72

The solution of 12x − 12 = −72 is x = -5.

12x - 12 = -72\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 12x − 12 and y = -72 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.
$12x - 12 = -72$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$12x - 12 + 12 = -72 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -60$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-60}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-5) - 12 = -60 - 12 = -72 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 12 = -72\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 12x - 12 = -72 \]
\[ 12x - 12 + 12 = -72 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -60 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-60}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-5) - 12 = -60 - 12 = -72 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 12 = −72

x	12x − 12	Equals -72?
-7	-96	no
-6	-84	no
-5	-72	yes
-4	-60	no
-3	-48	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 12 = −72?

The solution of 12x − 12 = −72 is x = -5.

How do you solve 12x − 12 = −72?

Add 12 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) − 12 = -72, which is -72.

Solve 12x − 12 = −72

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 12 = −72

Questions

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