Solve 5x − 12 = −27

The solution of 5x − 12 = −27 is x = -3.

5x - 12 = -27\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3

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The lines y = 5x − 12 and y = -27 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.
$5x - 12 = -27$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$5x - 12 + 12 = -27 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -15$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-15}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-3) - 12 = -15 - 12 = -27 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 12 = -27\ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 5x - 12 = -27 \]
\[ 5x - 12 + 12 = -27 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -15 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-15}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-3) - 12 = -15 - 12 = -27 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −27

x	5x − 12	Equals -27?
-5	-37	no
-4	-32	no
-3	-27	yes
-2	-22	no
-1	-17	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 12 = −27?

The solution of 5x − 12 = −27 is x = -3.

How do you solve 5x − 12 = −27?

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 = -27, which is -27.

Solve 5x − 12 = −27

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −27

Questions

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