Solve for x 5x+12=x-4

$5 x + 12 = x - 4$

Step 1

Move all terms containing $x$ to the left side of the equation.

Subtract $x$ from both sides of the equation.

$5 x + 12 - x = - 4$

Subtract $x$ from $5 x$ .

$4 x + 12 = - 4$

Step 2

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Subtract $12$ from both sides of the equation.

$4 x = - 4 - 12$

Subtract $12$ from $- 4$ .

$4 x = - 16$

Step 3

Divide each term in $4 x = - 16$ by $4$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $4 x = - 16$ by $4$ .

$\frac{4 x}{4} = \frac{- 16}{4}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $4$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{4 x}{4} = \frac{- 16}{4}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{- 16}{4}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $- 16$ by $4$ .

$x = - 4$