Solve 12x − 5 = −125

The solution of 12x − 5 = −125 is x = -10.

12x - 5 = -125\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10

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The lines y = 12x − 5 and y = -125 meet at x = -10. 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.
$12x - 5 = -125$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$12x - 5 + 5 = -125 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -120$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-120}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10$
4
Check: put x = -10 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-10) - 5 = -120 - 5 = -125 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 5 = -125\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 12x - 5 = -125 \]
\[ 12x - 5 + 5 = -125 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -120 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-120}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-10) - 5 = -120 - 5 = -125 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 5 = −125

x	12x − 5	Equals -125?
-12	-149	no
-11	-137	no
-10	-125	yes
-9	-113	no
-8	-101	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 5 = −125?

The solution of 12x − 5 = −125 is x = -10.

How do you solve 12x − 5 = −125?

Add 5 to both sides to get 12x = -120, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -10.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -10: 12(-10) − 5 = -125, which is -125.

Solve 12x − 5 = −125

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 5 = −125

Questions

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