Solve 2x − 12 = −2

The solution of 2x − 12 = −2 is x = 5.

2x - 12 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5

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The lines y = 2x − 12 and y = -2 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.
$2x - 12 = -2$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$2x - 12 + 12 = -2 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 10$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5$
4
Check: put x = 5 back into the equation.
$2\cdot5 - 12 = 10 - 12 = -2 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 12 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 2x - 12 = -2 \]
\[ 2x - 12 + 12 = -2 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 10 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{10}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 5 \]
\[ 2\cdot5 - 12 = 10 - 12 = -2 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 12 = −2

x	2x − 12	Equals -2?
3	-6	no
4	-4	no
5	-2	yes
6	0	no
7	2	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 12 = −2?

The solution of 2x − 12 = −2 is x = 5.

How do you solve 2x − 12 = −2?

Add 12 to both sides to get 2x = 10, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 5: 2(5) − 12 = -2, which is -2.

Solve 2x − 12 = −2

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 12 = −2

Questions

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