Solve 3x − 12 = 15

The solution of 3x − 12 = 15 is x = 9.

3x - 12 = 15\ \Rightarrow\ x = 9

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The lines y = 3x − 12 and y = 15 meet at x = 9. 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.
$3x - 12 = 15$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$3x - 12 + 12 = 15 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 27$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 9$
4
Check: put x = 9 back into the equation.
$3\cdot9 - 12 = 27 - 12 = 15 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 12 = 15\ \Rightarrow\ x = 9 \]
\[ 3x - 12 = 15 \]
\[ 3x - 12 + 12 = 15 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 27 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{27}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 9 \]
\[ 3\cdot9 - 12 = 27 - 12 = 15 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = 15

x	3x − 12	Equals 15?
7	9	no
8	12	no
9	15	yes
10	18	no
11	21	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 12 = 15?

The solution of 3x − 12 = 15 is x = 9.

How do you solve 3x − 12 = 15?

Add 12 to both sides to get 3x = 27, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 9: 3(9) − 12 = 15, which is 15.

Solve 3x − 12 = 15

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = 15

Questions

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