Solve 12x − 13 = −73

The solution of 12x − 13 = −73 is x = -5.

12x - 13 = -73\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 12x − 13 and y = -73 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.
$12x - 13 = -73$
2
Add 13 to both sides:
$12x - 13 + 13 = -73 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -60$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-60}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-5) - 13 = -60 - 13 = -73 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 13 = -73\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 12x - 13 = -73 \]
\[ 12x - 13 + 13 = -73 + 13 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -60 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-60}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-5) - 13 = -60 - 13 = -73 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 13 = −73

x	12x − 13	Equals -73?
-7	-97	no
-6	-85	no
-5	-73	yes
-4	-61	no
-3	-49	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 13 = −73?

The solution of 12x − 13 = −73 is x = -5.

How do you solve 12x − 13 = −73?

Add 13 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) − 13 = -73, which is -73.

Solve 12x − 13 = −73

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 13 = −73

Questions

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