Solve 4x − 12 = −8

The solution of 4x − 12 = −8 is x = 1.

4x - 12 = -8\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1

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The lines y = 4x − 12 and y = -8 meet at x = 1. 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.
$4x - 12 = -8$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$4x - 12 + 12 = -8 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = 4$
3
Divide both sides by 4:
$\frac{4x}{4} = \frac{4}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1$
4
Check: put x = 1 back into the equation.
$4\cdot1 - 12 = 4 - 12 = -8 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 4x - 12 = -8\ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 4x - 12 = -8 \]
\[ 4x - 12 + 12 = -8 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 4x = 4 \]
\[ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{4}{4} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 1 \]
\[ 4\cdot1 - 12 = 4 - 12 = -8 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 4x − 12 = −8

x	4x − 12	Equals -8?
-1	-16	no
0	-12	no
1	-8	yes
2	-4	no
3	0	no

Questions

What is x in 4x − 12 = −8?

The solution of 4x − 12 = −8 is x = 1.

How do you solve 4x − 12 = −8?

Add 12 to both sides to get 4x = 4, then divide both sides by 4 to get x = 1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 1: 4(1) − 12 = -8, which is -8.

Solve 4x − 12 = −8

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 4x − 12 = −8

Questions

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