Solve 5x − 12 = 3

The solution of 5x − 12 = 3 is x = 3.

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

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The lines y = 5x − 12 and y = 3 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.
$5x - 12 = 3$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$5x - 12 + 12 = 3 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 15$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{15}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3$
4
Check: put x = 3 back into the equation.
$5\cdot3 - 12 = 15 - 12 = 3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 12 = 3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 5x - 12 = 3 \]
\[ 5x - 12 + 12 = 3 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 15 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{15}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 3 \]
\[ 5\cdot3 - 12 = 15 - 12 = 3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = 3

x	5x − 12	Equals 3?
1	-7	no
2	-2	no
3	3	yes
4	8	no
5	13	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 12 = 3?

The solution of 5x − 12 = 3 is x = 3.

How do you solve 5x − 12 = 3?

Add 12 to both sides to get 5x = 15, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = 3.

How do I check the answer?

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

Solve 5x − 12 = 3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = 3

Questions

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