What is the first step you would take to solve the equation 5x - 12 = -20? Divide 5x and -20 by 5.

Add 20 to both sides.

multiply 12 by .

Add 12 to both sides.

add 12 to both sides

Step-by-step explanation:

What we want to do, is to isolate the variable and the numbers on different sides.

if we divide 5x and -20 by 5, what about -12? It's part of the equation too.

If we add 20 to both sides, the numbers and the variable are on the same side, so we'll need to subtract it back off to isolate both.

If we multiply 12 by (what was there) it won't be isolating the variable or numbers. We'll just be increasing the value of the terms already there.

However, if we add 12 to both sides, we'll be isolating both the variable AND the numbers onto different sides.

therefore, add 12 to both sides.

Hope this helps!

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step-by-step explanation:

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