Solve 12x − 14 = −38

The solution of 12x − 14 = −38 is x = -2.

12x - 14 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

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The lines y = 12x − 14 and y = -38 meet at x = -2. 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.
$12x - 14 = -38$
2
Add 14 to both sides:
$12x - 14 + 14 = -38 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -24$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-24}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-2) - 14 = -24 - 14 = -38 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 14 = -38\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 12x - 14 = -38 \]
\[ 12x - 14 + 14 = -38 + 14 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -24 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-24}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-2) - 14 = -24 - 14 = -38 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 14 = −38

x	12x − 14	Equals -38?
-4	-62	no
-3	-50	no
-2	-38	yes
-1	-26	no
0	-14	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 14 = −38?

The solution of 12x − 14 = −38 is x = -2.

How do you solve 12x − 14 = −38?

Add 14 to both sides to get 12x = -24, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 12(-2) − 14 = -38, which is -38.

Solve 12x − 14 = −38

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 14 = −38

Questions

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