Solve 3x − 12 = 18

The solution of 3x − 12 = 18 is x = 10.

3x - 12 = 18\ \Rightarrow\ x = 10

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The lines y = 3x − 12 and y = 18 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.
$3x - 12 = 18$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$3x - 12 + 12 = 18 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 30$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{30}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 10$
4
Check: put x = 10 back into the equation.
$3\cdot10 - 12 = 30 - 12 = 18 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 12 = 18\ \Rightarrow\ x = 10 \]
\[ 3x - 12 = 18 \]
\[ 3x - 12 + 12 = 18 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 30 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{30}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 10 \]
\[ 3\cdot10 - 12 = 30 - 12 = 18 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = 18

x	3x − 12	Equals 18?
8	12	no
9	15	no
10	18	yes
11	21	no
12	24	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 12 = 18?

The solution of 3x − 12 = 18 is x = 10.

How do you solve 3x − 12 = 18?

Add 12 to both sides to get 3x = 30, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 10.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 10: 3(10) − 12 = 18, which is 18.

Solve 3x − 12 = 18

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = 18

Questions

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