Solve 5x + 3 = −12

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

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

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

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 5x + 3 = −12

x	5x + 3	Equals -12?
-5	-22	no
-4	-17	no
-3	-12	yes
-2	-7	no
-1	-2	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 3 = −12?

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

How do you solve 5x + 3 = −12?

Subtract 3 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) + 3 = -12, which is -12.

Solve 5x + 3 = −12

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 3 = −12

Questions

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