$\"\"$

The equation is $\"\"$ .

Apply associative property of multiplication: $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$

$\"\"$ (Multiply: $\"\"$ ) $\"\"$

Apply division property of equality: If a = b then $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$ (Divide each side by negative 12)

$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms)

$\"\"$ (Divide: $\"\"$ ) $\"\"$

Check:

To check the solution, substitute $\"\"$ in original equation.

$\"\"$

144 = 144 (Multiply: $\"\"$ )

The statement is true. $\"\"$

The value of $\"\"$ .