Add five to both sides and divide that by three so x=4
Imagine a equation as a scale, whatever you need to do on one side needs to be done on the other. The goal is to get x by itself, so first you must add 5 on one side to get rid of it. You have to add it because to get rid of the five you have to do the opposite of the -5 in the equation. The 5 must also be added on the other side to keep the equation balance so now
12=3x
To get rid of the three and solve for x you must get rid of the multiplied 3 by x. Remember you must always do the opposite so you have to divide by 3 to get rid of it. What is done on one side must be done on the other so divide 12 by 3 and the answer is
X=4
