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 addition, then the multiplication.
$8x + 12 = -20$
2
Subtract 12 from 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.
$8\cdot(-4) + 12 = -32 + 12 = -20 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

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

Trying values of x in 8x + 12 = −20

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

Subtract 12 from 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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