so the product of (x times y) nine (9) and a number (x becasue unknown) is (=) twelve less than (-12) three times that number (3x)
find x
in equations with one placeholder, you want to get that placeholder on one side and the stuff you know (number like 3,55,1/2) on the other side
you can do anything to an equation (except divide by zero) if you do the same thing to both sides so that it will stay equal, exg 2x=4 divide both sides by 2/2x=4/2 or x=2
9x=-12+3x or 9x=3x-12
9x=3x-12
subtract 3x from both sidse
6x=-12
divide both sides by 6 (remember, when multiplying or dividing two numbers of same sign (postive/negative) the result is always positive, and when the two numbers are of different sign, then the result is negative)
6/6x=-12/6
x=-2
