Solve 6x − 12 = −72

The solution of 6x − 12 = −72 is x = -10.

6x - 12 = -72\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10

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The lines y = 6x − 12 and y = -72 meet at x = -10. 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.
$6x - 12 = -72$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$6x - 12 + 12 = -72 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -60$
3
Divide both sides by 6:
$\frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-60}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10$
4
Check: put x = -10 back into the equation.
$6\cdot(-10) - 12 = -60 - 12 = -72 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 6x - 12 = -72\ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 6x - 12 = -72 \]
\[ 6x - 12 + 12 = -72 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 6x = -60 \]
\[ \frac{6x}{6} = \frac{-60}{6} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -10 \]
\[ 6\cdot(-10) - 12 = -60 - 12 = -72 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 6x − 12 = −72

x	6x − 12	Equals -72?
-12	-84	no
-11	-78	no
-10	-72	yes
-9	-66	no
-8	-60	no

Questions

What is x in 6x − 12 = −72?

The solution of 6x − 12 = −72 is x = -10.

How do you solve 6x − 12 = −72?

Add 12 to both sides to get 6x = -60, then divide both sides by 6 to get x = -10.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -10: 6(-10) − 12 = -72, which is -72.

Solve 6x − 12 = −72

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 6x − 12 = −72

Questions

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