$$ \begin{aligned} -\frac{5}{4}(x+12)+\frac{1}{4}x &= -3&& \text{multiply ALL terms by } \color{blue}{ 4 }. \\[1 em]-4 \cdot \frac{5}{4}(x+12)+4\frac{1}{4}x &= 4\cdot(-3)&& \text{cancel out the denominators} \\[1 em]-(5x+60)+x &= -12&& \text{simplify left side} \\[1 em]-5x-60+x &= -12&& \\[1 em]-4x-60 &= -12&& \text{ move -60 to the right } \\[1 em]-4x &= -12+60&& \\[1 em]-4x &= 48&& \text{ divide both sides by $ -4 $ } \\[1 em]x &= -\frac{48}{4}&& \\[1 em]x &= -12&& \\[1 em] \end{aligned} $$

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