Simplifying 12x + -4y = 5 Solving 12x + -4y = 5 Solving for variable 'x'. Move all terms containing x to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '4y' to each side of the equation. 12x + -4y + 4y = 5 + 4y Combine like terms: -4y + 4y = 0 12x + 0 = 5 + 4y 12x = 5 + 4y Divide each side by '12'. x = 0.4166666667 + 0.3333333333y Simplifying x = 0.4166666667 + 0.3333333333y