Solve 5x − 12 = −57

The solution of 5x − 12 = −57 is x = -9.

5x - 12 = -57\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 5x − 12 and y = -57 meet at x = -9. 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.
$5x - 12 = -57$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$5x - 12 + 12 = -57 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -45$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-45}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9$
4
Check: put x = -9 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-9) - 12 = -45 - 12 = -57 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x - 12 = -57\ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 5x - 12 = -57 \]
\[ 5x - 12 + 12 = -57 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -45 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-45}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -9 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-9) - 12 = -45 - 12 = -57 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −57

x	5x − 12	Equals -57?
-11	-67	no
-10	-62	no
-9	-57	yes
-8	-52	no
-7	-47	no

Questions

What is x in 5x − 12 = −57?

The solution of 5x − 12 = −57 is x = -9.

How do you solve 5x − 12 = −57?

Add 12 to both sides to get 5x = -45, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -9.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -9: 5(-9) − 12 = -57, which is -57.

Solve 5x − 12 = −57

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x − 12 = −57

Questions

Similar equations