1 answer
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Let's solve the equation step by step.
Given the equation:
\[ 3(2x + 2) - x - 3 = -12 \]
1. Distribute the \(3\) to the terms inside the parentheses:
\[
3 \cdot 2x + 3 \cdot 2 - x - 3 = -12
\]
This simplifies to:
\[
6x + 6 - x - 3 = -12
\]
2. Combine like terms (combine \(6\) and \(-3\), and \(6x\) and \(-x\)):
\[
6x - x + 6 - 3 = -12
\]
This gives:
\[
5x + 3 = -12
\]
3. Now, isolate \(5x\) by subtracting \(3\) from both sides:
\[
5x = -12 - 3
\]
Which simplifies to:
\[
5x = -15
\]
4. Finally, divide both sides by \(5\):
\[
x = \frac{-15}{5}
\]
This simplifies to:
\[
x = -3
\]
So the solution is:
\[
\boxed{-3}
\]