Solve for the Missing Factor: 12×3-4×?=12

Q: Why do I multiply 12×3 first instead of going left to right?

Order of operations (PEMDAS) says multiplication comes before subtraction. So $ 12 \times 3 - 4 \times ? $ becomes $ 36 - 4 \times ? $ first!

Q: How do I move terms to the other side of the equation?

When moving terms across the equals sign, flip the operation. Addition becomes subtraction, multiplication becomes division. Move $ 36 $ by subtracting it from both sides.

Q: Why does -4×? = -24 give me a positive answer?

When you divide two negative numbers, you get a positive result! $ \frac{-24}{-4} = 6 $ because the negative signs cancel out.

Q: What if I get confused about which operations to do first?

Use PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right). Write it out step by step!

Q: Can I check my answer a different way?

Yes! Substitute your answer back into the original equation: $ 12 \times 3 - 4 \times 6 = 36 - 24 = 12 $. If both sides match, you're correct!

Order of Operations with Unknown Variables

$12\times3-4\times?=12$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:01 Let's start with the multiplication

00:12 Subtract 36 from both sides in order to obtain a variable on one side

00:30 If - 4 X is equal to - 24

00:32 We want to determine what one variable is equal to

00:34 Therefore we divide both sides of the equation by minus 4

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$12\times3-4\times?=12$

Step-by-step solution

According to the laws of Arithmetic operations:

We must first place the multiplication exercise inside parentheses as shown below: $(12\times3)-4\times?=12$

We then solve the multiplication:

$12\times3=36$

Which should result in the following calculation:

$36-4\times?=12$

We then transfer numbers to the other side of the equation and change the signs accordingly:

$-4\times?=12-36$

We complete the subtraction exercise:

$12-36=-24$

Resulting in the following calculation:

$-4\times?=-24$

Finally we divide by negative 4:

$?=\frac{-24}{-4}$

$?=6$

Final Answer

$6$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Order: Follow PEMDAS - multiply first, then subtract
Technique: Isolate the unknown by rearranging: $36 - 4 \times ? = 12$
Check: Substitute back: $12 \times 3 - 4 \times 6 = 36 - 24 = 12$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Solving left to right without following order of operations
Don't calculate 12×3-4 first = 32×? = 12! This ignores multiplication priority and gives ?=3/8 instead of 6. Always multiply before subtracting according to PEMDAS rules.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$$ 0:7+1= $$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I multiply 12×3 first instead of going left to right?

Order of operations (PEMDAS) says multiplication comes before subtraction. So $12 \times 3 - 4 \times ?$ becomes $36 - 4 \times ?$ first!

How do I move terms to the other side of the equation?

When moving terms across the equals sign, flip the operation. Addition becomes subtraction, multiplication becomes division. Move $36$ by subtracting it from both sides.

Why does -4×? = -24 give me a positive answer?

When you divide two negative numbers, you get a positive result! $\frac{-24}{-4} = 6$ because the negative signs cancel out.

What if I get confused about which operations to do first?

Use PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right). Write it out step by step!

Can I check my answer a different way?

Yes! Substitute your answer back into the original equation: $12 \times 3 - 4 \times 6 = 36 - 24 = 12$ . If both sides match, you're correct!

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Solve for the Missing Factor: 12×3-4×?=12

Order of Operations with Unknown Variables

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

Step-by-step video solution

Step-by-step written solution

Understand the problem

Step-by-step solution

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Common Mistakes

Practice Quiz

FAQ

Why do I multiply 12×3 first instead of going left to right?

How do I move terms to the other side of the equation?

Why does -4×? = -24 give me a positive answer?

What if I get confused about which operations to do first?

Can I check my answer a different way?

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

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