Solve 5x − 12 = −17

The solution of 5x − 12 = −17 is x = -1.

5x - 12 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

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The lines y = 5x − 12 and y = -17 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.
$5x - 12 = -17$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$5x - 12 + 12 = -17 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -5$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-1) - 12 = -5 - 12 = -17 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 12 = -17\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 5x - 12 = -17 \]
\[ 5x - 12 + 12 = -17 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -5 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-5}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-1) - 12 = -5 - 12 = -17 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −17

x	5x − 12	Equals -17?
-3	-27	no
-2	-22	no
-1	-17	yes
0	-12	no
1	-7	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 12 = −17?

The solution of 5x − 12 = −17 is x = -1.

How do you solve 5x − 12 = −17?

Add 12 to both sides to get 5x = -5, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 5(-1) − 12 = -17, which is -17.

Solve 5x − 12 = −17

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −17

Questions

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