Solve 2x − 8 = −12

The solution of 2x − 8 = −12 is x = -2.

2x - 8 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 2x − 8 and y = -12 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.
$2x - 8 = -12$
2
Add 8 to both sides:
$2x - 8 + 8 = -12 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -4$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2$
4
Check: put x = -2 back into the equation.
$2\cdot(-2) - 8 = -4 - 8 = -12 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 8 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2x - 8 = -12 \]
\[ 2x - 8 + 8 = -12 + 8 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = -4 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -2 \]
\[ 2\cdot(-2) - 8 = -4 - 8 = -12 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −12

x	2x − 8	Equals -12?
-4	-16	no
-3	-14	no
-2	-12	yes
-1	-10	no
0	-8	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 8 = −12?

The solution of 2x − 8 = −12 is x = -2.

How do you solve 2x − 8 = −12?

Add 8 to both sides to get 2x = -4, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -2: 2(-2) − 8 = -12, which is -12.

Solve 2x − 8 = −12

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 8 = −12

Questions

Similar equations