Solving Simple Equations: A Step-by-Step Guide

An equation is a mathematical statement that shows that two expressions are equal. In this article, we’ll focus on solving simple linear equations, which involve only one variable and have the form ax + b = c, where a, b, and c are constants and x is the unknown variable.

Step 1: Isolate the Variable

The first step in solving a linear equation is to isolate the variable (x) on one side of the equation. This is done by performing the same operations on both sides of the equation in order to cancel out the terms that don’t involve the variable. For example, if we have the equation 2x + 3 = 7, we would subtract 3 from both sides of the equation to isolate x:

2x + 3 - 3 = 7 - 3 2x = 4

Step 2: Divide Both Sides by the Coefficient of x

Next, divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of x (in this case, 2) in order to find the value of x:

(2x) / 2 = 4 / 2 x = 2

Step 3: Check Your Answer

Finally, check your answer by substituting the value of x back into the original equation and seeing if both sides are equal. For example:

2 * 2 + 3 = 7

4 + 3 = 7

7 = 7

The answer is correct, so x = 2 is the solution to the equation 2x + 3 = 7.

In conclusion

Solving simple linear equations involves isolating the variable, dividing both sides of the equation by the coefficient of x, and checking your answer. With practice, you’ll be able to solve simple linear equations quickly and accurately.