Solve 9x − 3 = −12

The solution of 9x − 3 = −12 is x = -1.

9x - 3 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 9x − 3 and y = -12 meet at x = -1. 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.
$9x - 3 = -12$
2
Add 3 to both sides:
$9x - 3 + 3 = -12 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -9$
3
Divide both sides by 9:
$\frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-9}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1$
4
Check: put x = -1 back into the equation.
$9\cdot(-1) - 3 = -9 - 3 = -12 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 9x - 3 = -12\ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 9x - 3 = -12 \]
\[ 9x - 3 + 3 = -12 + 3 \ \Rightarrow\ 9x = -9 \]
\[ \frac{9x}{9} = \frac{-9}{9} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -1 \]
\[ 9\cdot(-1) - 3 = -9 - 3 = -12 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 9x − 3 = −12

x	9x − 3	Equals -12?
-3	-30	no
-2	-21	no
-1	-12	yes
0	-3	no
1	6	no

Questions

What is x in 9x − 3 = −12?

The solution of 9x − 3 = −12 is x = -1.

How do you solve 9x − 3 = −12?

Add 3 to both sides to get 9x = -9, then divide both sides by 9 to get x = -1.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -1: 9(-1) − 3 = -12, which is -12.

Solve 9x − 3 = −12

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 9x − 3 = −12

Questions

Similar equations