Solve 8x − 12 = 20

The solution of 8x − 12 = 20 is x = 4.

8x - 12 = 20\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4

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The lines y = 8x − 12 and y = 20 meet at x = 4. 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.
$8x - 12 = 20$
2
Add 12 to both sides:
$8x - 12 + 12 = 20 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 8x = 32$
3
Divide both sides by 8:
$\frac{8x}{8} = \frac{32}{8} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4$
4
Check: put x = 4 back into the equation.
$8\cdot4 - 12 = 32 - 12 = 20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 8x - 12 = 20\ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 8x - 12 = 20 \]
\[ 8x - 12 + 12 = 20 + 12 \ \Rightarrow\ 8x = 32 \]
\[ \frac{8x}{8} = \frac{32}{8} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 4 \]
\[ 8\cdot4 - 12 = 32 - 12 = 20 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 8x − 12 = 20

x	8x − 12	Equals 20?
2	4	no
3	12	no
4	20	yes
5	28	no
6	36	no

Questions

What is x in 8x − 12 = 20?

The solution of 8x − 12 = 20 is x = 4.

How do you solve 8x − 12 = 20?

Add 12 to both sides to get 8x = 32, then divide both sides by 8 to get x = 4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 4: 8(4) − 12 = 20, which is 20.

Solve 8x − 12 = 20

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 8x − 12 = 20

Questions

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