Solve 5x + 12 = −3

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

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

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

The lines y = 5x + 12 and y = -3 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 addition, then the multiplication.
$5x + 12 = -3$
2
Subtract 12 from both sides:
$5x + 12 - 12 = -3 - 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -15$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-15}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -3$
4
Check: put x = -3 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-3) + 12 = -15 + 12 = -3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 5x + 12 = −3

x	5x + 12	Equals -3?
-5	-13	no
-4	-8	no
-3	-3	yes
-2	2	no
-1	7	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 12 = −3?

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

How do you solve 5x + 12 = −3?

Subtract 12 from 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 = -3, which is -3.

Solve 5x + 12 = −3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 12 = −3

Questions

Similar equations