Solve 3x − 12 = −33

The solution of 3x − 12 = −33 is x = -7.

3x - 12 = -33\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7

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The lines y = 3x − 12 and y = -33 meet at x = -7. 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.
$3x - 12 = -33$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$3x - 12 + 12 = -33 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7$
4
Check: put x = -7 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-7) - 12 = -21 - 12 = -33 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 12 = -33\ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3x - 12 = -33 \]
\[ 3x - 12 + 12 = -33 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -21 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-21}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -7 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-7) - 12 = -21 - 12 = -33 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = −33

x	3x − 12	Equals -33?
-9	-39	no
-8	-36	no
-7	-33	yes
-6	-30	no
-5	-27	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 12 = −33?

The solution of 3x − 12 = −33 is x = -7.

How do you solve 3x − 12 = −33?

Add 12 to both sides to get 3x = -21, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -7.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -7: 3(-7) − 12 = -33, which is -33.

Solve 3x − 12 = −33

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 12 = −33

Questions

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