Solve 12x − 13 = −61

The solution of 12x − 13 = −61 is x = -4.

12x - 13 = -61\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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The lines y = 12x − 13 and y = -61 meet at x = -4. 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.
$12x - 13 = -61$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$12x - 13 + 13 = -61 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -48$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-48}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-4) - 13 = -48 - 13 = -61 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 13 = -61\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 12x - 13 = -61 \]
\[ 12x - 13 + 13 = -61 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -48 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-48}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-4) - 13 = -48 - 13 = -61 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 13 = −61

x	12x − 13	Equals -61?
-6	-85	no
-5	-73	no
-4	-61	yes
-3	-49	no
-2	-37	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 13 = −61?

The solution of 12x − 13 = −61 is x = -4.

How do you solve 12x − 13 = −61?

Add 13 to both sides to get 12x = -48, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 12(-4) − 13 = -61, which is -61.

Solve 12x − 13 = −61

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 13 = −61

Questions

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