Solve 3x − 12 = 48

The solution of 3x − 12 = 48 is x = 20.

3x - 12 = 48\ \Rightarrow\ x = 20

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The lines y = 3x − 12 and y = 48 meet at x = 20. 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.
$3x - 12 = 48$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$3x - 12 + 12 = 48 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 60$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{60}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 20$
4
Check: put x = 20 back into the equation.
$3\cdot20 - 12 = 60 - 12 = 48 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 12 = 48\ \Rightarrow\ x = 20 \]
\[ 3x - 12 = 48 \]
\[ 3x - 12 + 12 = 48 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = 60 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{60}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 20 \]
\[ 3\cdot20 - 12 = 60 - 12 = 48 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = 48

x	3x − 12	Equals 48?
18	42	no
19	45	no
20	48	yes
21	51	no
22	54	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 12 = 48?

The solution of 3x − 12 = 48 is x = 20.

How do you solve 3x − 12 = 48?

Add 12 to both sides to get 3x = 60, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = 20.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 20: 3(20) − 12 = 48, which is 48.

Solve 3x − 12 = 48

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = 48

Questions

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