Solve 12x − 5 = −17

The solution of 12x − 5 = −17 is x = -1.

12x - 5 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 12x − 5 and y = -17 meet at x = -1. 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.
$12x - 5 = -17$
2
Add 5 to both sides:
$12x - 5 + 5 = -17 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -12$
3
Divide both sides by 12:
$\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-12}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$12\cdot(-1) - 5 = -12 - 5 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 12x - 5 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 12x - 5 = -17 \]
\[ 12x - 5 + 5 = -17 + 5 \ \Rightarrow\ 12x = -12 \]
\[ \frac{12x}{12} = \frac{-12}{12} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 12\cdot(-1) - 5 = -12 - 5 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 12x − 5 = −17

x	12x − 5	Equals -17?
-3	-41	no
-2	-29	no
-1	-17	yes
0	-5	no
1	7	no

Questions

What is x in 12x − 5 = −17?

The solution of 12x − 5 = −17 is x = -1.

How do you solve 12x − 5 = −17?

Add 5 to both sides to get 12x = -12, then divide both sides by 12 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 12(-1) − 5 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 12x − 5 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 12x − 5 = −17

Questions

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