Solving Equations
Solving Equations
Equations contain an equal sign (or
inequality) and at least one
variable.
What is your Goal?
Find what value(s)
make the equation true.
How do you
accomplish it?
Isolate the variable.
Get rid of the furthest
number that is “with” the
variable first.
Solve:Isolate the variable.
If added,
then
add the opposite
If multiplied,
then multiply by the reciprocal
How do you know
you are correct?
Put your answer back into the
original equation to see if both
side have the same value.
Questions to focus on
Who is the variable?
Where is the variable?
Is the variable on the right side or left side
of the equal sign?
Combine like terms on the same side of the
equation
What numbers are with the variable?
(on the same side of the equal sign)
Which number is “furthest away” according to the
Order of Operations? (P, E, M D, A S)
Questions to focus on
How is that number with the variable
(added or multiplied)?
How do you get rid of that number?
(Add opposite or Multiply by reciprocal)
Add the opposite or Multiply by the reciprocal
to both sides of the equal sign!
Start over with the first question
until the variable has been isolated.
Solve and check your answer.
2  w 3
Check:
2  3  w  3  3 2   5  3
5w
22
Solve and check your answer.
y
 10
5
Check:
y
(5)  (5)10
5
5
y  50
 50   10
Solve and check your answer.
(2 operations)
3x + 5 = 20
3x + 5 – 5 = 20 – 5
3x = 15
3x = 15
3
3
x = 5
Check:
3(5) + 5 = 20
20 = 20
Solve and check your answer.
(2 operations)
7 = 4 – 6x
7 – 4 = 4 – 4 – 6x
3 = -6x
3 = -6x
-6 -6
-1/2 = x
Check:
7 = 4 – 6( )
7 = 4 – 6( -1/2 )
7 = 4 – -3
7=4+3
7=7
Solve and check your answer.
(variables on the same side of equation)
5x + 2 – 4x = 6
5x – 4x + 2 = 6
Check:
5(4) + 2 – 4(4) = 6
1x + 2 = 6
x+2–2=6–2
x = 4
20 + 2 – 16 = 6
22 – 16 = 6
6 = 6
Solve and check your answer.
(variables on both sides of the equation)
4x – 7 = 6x + 2
4x + -4x + -7 = 6x + -4x + 2
-7 = 2x + 2
-7 + -2 = 2 + -2
-9 = 2x
-9 = 2x
2
2
-9/2 = x
Check:
4(-9/2) – 7 = 6(-9/2) + 2
-18 – 7 = -27 + 2
-18 + -7 = -27 + 2
-25 = -25
Solve and check your answer.
(variables on 1 sides of the equation)
2x + 3(x – 4) = 13
2x + 3(1x + -4) = 13
2x + 3x + -12 = 13
5x + -12 = 13
5x + -12 + 12 = 13 + 12
5x = 25
5x = 25
5
5
x=5
Check:
2(5) + 3((5) – 4) = 13
10 + 3(1) = 13
10 + 3 = 13
Your turn to try a few problems
Types of solutions:
 No solution, there is no value for the
variable that will make the equation true.
5=2
 A unique answer, there is at least one value
that makes the equation true.
x = number
 Infinite number of solutions, all real
numbers makes the equation true.
3 = 3
Solve for x.
x+2=x–4
x–x+2=x–x–4
2 = -4
No Solution
Solve for x.
2x – 1 = x + 5
2x – x – 1 = x – x + 5
x–1=5
x–1+1=5+1
x = 6 unique solution
Solve for x.
x+4=4+x
x–x+4=4+x–x
4 = 4
Infinite number of solutions