Solve 3x − 3 = −12

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

3x - 3 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x - 3 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3x - 3 = -12 \]
\[ 3x - 3 + 3 = -12 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -9 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-9}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-3) - 3 = -9 - 3 = -12 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x − 3 = −12

x	3x − 3	Equals -12?
-5	-18	no
-4	-15	no
-3	-12	yes
-2	-9	no
-1	-6	no

Questions

What is x in 3x − 3 = −12?

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

How do you solve 3x − 3 = −12?

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

How do I check the answer?

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

Solve 3x − 3 = −12

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x − 3 = −12

Questions

Similar equations