Ashley+Melendez



In a simple equation, this may mean that we only have to undo one operation, as in the following example. We are adding 3 to the variable, so to get rid of the added 3, we do the oppositesubtract 3. (Remember to do this to both sides of the equation) || **x + 3 = 8 -3 -3 x = 5** || In an equation which has more than one operation, we have to undo the operations in the correct order. First, undo addition or subtraction, then undo multiplication or division. We are multiplying it by 5, and subtracting 2. First, undo the subtraction by adding 2. Then, undo the multiplication by dividing by 5. || **5x - 2 = 13 +2 +2 5x = 15 x = 3** || Suppose there are variables on both sides of the equation. The trick now, is to get the variables on the **same** side by adding them or subtracting them. To move this variable we do the opposite, so we'll subtract x from both sides.
 * **Solve the following equation for x: x + 3 = 8** ||
 * The variable is x.
 * **Solve the following equation for x: 5x - 2 = 13** ||
 * The variable is x.
 * **Solve the following equation for x:** || **4x + 5 = x - 4** ||  ||
 * We have two terms with the variable, 4x and x. || We'll move the variable with the smaller coefficient, x. To do this we have to look at the sign in front of the variable we're moving. Since there is no sign, we know it is +.

Now we proceed as before. ||||||  || -x -x 3x + 5 = -4 ||  || -5 -5 3x = -9 x = -3 ||  ||^   ||
 * ^  ||   || 4x + 5 = x - 4
 * ^  |||| 3x + 5 = -4