Solve 3x + 3 = −12

The solution of 3x + 3 = −12 is x = -5.

3x + 3 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 3x + 3 and y = -12 meet at x = -5. 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$3x + 3 = -12$
2
Subtract 3 from both sides:
$3x + 3 - 3 = -12 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -15$
3
Divide both sides by 3:
$\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-15}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$3\cdot(-5) + 3 = -15 + 3 = -12 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 3x + 3 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 3x + 3 = -12 \]
\[ 3x + 3 - 3 = -12 - 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 3x = -15 \]
\[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{-15}{3} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 3\cdot(-5) + 3 = -15 + 3 = -12 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 3x + 3 = −12

x	3x + 3	Equals -12?
-7	-18	no
-6	-15	no
-5	-12	yes
-4	-9	no
-3	-6	no

Questions

What is x in 3x + 3 = −12?

The solution of 3x + 3 = −12 is x = -5.

How do you solve 3x + 3 = −12?

Subtract 3 from both sides to get 3x = -15, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 3(-5) + 3 = -12, which is -12.

Solve 3x + 3 = −12

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 3x + 3 = −12

Questions

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