Solve 6x − 12 = −42

The solution of 6x − 12 = −42 is x = -5.

6x - 12 = -42\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5

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The lines y = 6x − 12 and y = -42 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.
$6x - 12 = -42$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$6x - 12 + 12 = -42 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -30$
3
Divide both sides by 6:
$\frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-30}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5$
4
Check: put x = -5 back into the equation.
$6\cdot(-5) - 12 = -30 - 12 = -42 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 6x - 12 = -42\ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 6x - 12 = -42 \]
\[ 6x - 12 + 12 = -42 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -30 \]
\[ \frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-30}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -5 \]
\[ 6\cdot(-5) - 12 = -30 - 12 = -42 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 6x − 12 = −42

x	6x − 12	Equals -42?
-7	-54	no
-6	-48	no
-5	-42	yes
-4	-36	no
-3	-30	no

Questions

What is x in 6x − 12 = −42?

The solution of 6x − 12 = −42 is x = -5.

How do you solve 6x − 12 = −42?

Add 12 to both sides to get 6x = -30, then divide both sides by 6 to get x = -5.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -5: 6(-5) − 12 = -42, which is -42.

Solve 6x − 12 = −42

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 6x − 12 = −42

Questions

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