Solve 5x − 12 = −2

The solution of 5x − 12 = −2 is x = 2.

5x - 12 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 2

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The lines y = 5x − 12 and y = -2 meet at x = 2. 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.
$5x - 12 = -2$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$5x - 12 + 12 = -2 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 10$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{10}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 2$
4
Check: put x = 2 back into the equation.
$5\cdot2 - 12 = 10 - 12 = -2 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 12 = -2\ \Rightarrow\ x = 2 \]
\[ 5x - 12 = -2 \]
\[ 5x - 12 + 12 = -2 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = 10 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{10}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 2 \]
\[ 5\cdot2 - 12 = 10 - 12 = -2 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −2

x	5x − 12	Equals -2?
0	-12	no
1	-7	no
2	-2	yes
3	3	no
4	8	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 12 = −2?

The solution of 5x − 12 = −2 is x = 2.

How do you solve 5x − 12 = −2?

Add 12 to both sides to get 5x = 10, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = 2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 2: 5(2) − 12 = -2, which is -2.

Solve 5x − 12 = −2

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −2

Questions

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