Solve 5x − 12 = −37

The solution of 5x − 12 = −37 is x = -5.

5x - 12 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 5x − 12 and y = -37 meet at x = -5. 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.
$5x - 12 = -37$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$5x - 12 + 12 = -37 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -25$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-25}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-5) - 12 = -25 - 12 = -37 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 12 = -37\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 5x - 12 = -37 \]
\[ 5x - 12 + 12 = -37 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -25 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-25}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-5) - 12 = -25 - 12 = -37 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −37

x	5x − 12	Equals -37?
-7	-47	no
-6	-42	no
-5	-37	yes
-4	-32	no
-3	-27	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 12 = −37?

The solution of 5x − 12 = −37 is x = -5.

How do you solve 5x − 12 = −37?

Add 12 to both sides to get 5x = -25, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 5(-5) − 12 = -37, which is -37.

Solve 5x − 12 = −37

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −37

Questions

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