Solve the following equation for x.
-4x - 3 = 9

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When solving an equation with one variable, your goal is to isolate the variable on one side of the equal sign. You do this by moving all of the other numbers to the opposite of the equal sign. You move numbers by performing the opposite operation (subtraction/addition and multiplication/division), on both sides of the equation to keep it balanced. 
For this problem:
The first thing you want to do is move the ( - 3) to the other side of the equation by adding 3 (opposite operation) to both sides.
-4x - 3 = 9
-4x - 3 + 3 = 9 + 3
-4x = 12
Then, you need to move the 4, which is multiplying x. You do this by dividing (opposite operation) both sides by 4.
-4x = 12
-4x ÷ -4 = 12 ÷ -4
x = 12 ÷ -4
x = - 3

Solve the Following Equation for X