Solve 4x − 12 = −52

The solution of 4x − 12 = −52 is x = -10.

4x - 12 = -52\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10

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The lines y = 4x − 12 and y = -52 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.
$4x - 12 = -52$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$4x - 12 + 12 = -52 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -40$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-40}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10$
4
Check: put x = -10 back into the equation.
$4\cdot(-10) - 12 = -40 - 12 = -52 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 12 = -52\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 4x - 12 = -52 \]
\[ 4x - 12 + 12 = -52 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = -40 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-40}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 4\cdot(-10) - 12 = -40 - 12 = -52 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 12 = −52

x	4x − 12	Equals -52?
-12	-60	no
-11	-56	no
-10	-52	yes
-9	-48	no
-8	-44	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 12 = −52?

The solution of 4x − 12 = −52 is x = -10.

How do you solve 4x − 12 = −52?

Add 12 to both sides to get 4x = -40, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = -10.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -10: 4(-10) − 12 = -52, which is -52.

Solve 4x − 12 = −52

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 12 = −52

Questions

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