Solve 5x − 12 = −32

The solution of 5x − 12 = −32 is x = -4.

5x - 12 = -32\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

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The lines y = 5x − 12 and y = -32 meet at x = -4. 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.
$5x - 12 = -32$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$5x - 12 + 12 = -32 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -20$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-4) - 12 = -20 - 12 = -32 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 12 = -32\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 5x - 12 = -32 \]
\[ 5x - 12 + 12 = -32 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -20 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-4) - 12 = -20 - 12 = -32 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −32

x	5x − 12	Equals -32?
-6	-42	no
-5	-37	no
-4	-32	yes
-3	-27	no
-2	-22	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 12 = −32?

The solution of 5x − 12 = −32 is x = -4.

How do you solve 5x − 12 = −32?

Add 12 to both sides to get 5x = -20, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 5(-4) − 12 = -32, which is -32.

Solve 5x − 12 = −32

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −32

Questions

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