Solving an Equation
2x + 2(2x-4) = 2x + 4
2x + 4x – 8 = 2x + 4
Combine like term that are on the same side
2x + 4x – 8 = 2x + 4
of the =
6x – 8 = 2x + 4
6x – 8 = 2x + 4
Move variables to one side of the equation by
-2x
-2x
adding or subtracting
4x – 8 = 4
4x – 8 = 4
Add or subtract the constants
+8 +8
4x = 12
4x = 12
Multiply or divide to get the variable by itself
4 4
To cancel out a fraction in front of a variable
(a coefficient), multiply by the reciprocal
x=3
Distribute
Parts of an Equation
term
expression
2x – 4 = 6 + 4x
coefficient constant variable
coefficient- a numerical or constant quantity
placed before and multiplying the variable in an
algebraic expression
constant- a fixed value. In Algebra, a constant is a
number on its own (no variable)
variable- an unknown number represented by a
letter
term- either a single number, variable, or variable
with a coefficient
expression- is a mathematical phrase that can
contain constants and variables with operators
between them (+,-, x, ÷)
Remember!
-Keep your equal sign
lined up!
-Anything you do to
one side of the = you
must do to the other!
-In order to move
something to the
other side of the = you
must do the opposite
operation
-Constants and
variables can’t be
combined
-Pay attention to the
sign in front of a term