One step equations

1) x+1=3

Step: subtract one on both sides

* x+1-1=3-1

the one cancels on the left leaving answer x=2

2) x-2=3

add two to both sides

x-2+2=3+2 the twos cancel on the left leaving

x=5

3) 2x=4

Divide both sides by 2

2x/2=4/2 the twos cancel on the left leaving

x=2

4)

multply both sides by two we have x=20

Two steps equations

1) 2x+5=11

Step 1: subtract 5 on both sides

* 2x+5-5=11-5

>2x=6

Step two divide by two on both sides

>2x/2=6/2 the two cancels on the left leaving

>x=3

Three Step Equations

Step 1

Multiply both sides by 2

the two cancels on the left leaving

3x+5 = 20

Step two: subtract five from both sides we are left with

3x=15

Step3: divide through by 3

3x/3=15/3

the threes cancel on the left leving

x=5

SUMMARY

Note that the aim of solving an equation is to isolate the variable

1) first thing you do is ask the question what is preventing me from having the variable by itself? there can be a constant, there can be a coeficient which is a fraction or just a whole number and for this level the sides with the variable might be a fraction as shown in the section on three steps equations there are many other situations that you can encount but remember this.

1) eliminate the fraction situation

2) remove any constant present on the same side with the variable by doing the reverse opperation for example if one is being added to the variable you subtract it and if it was being subtracted you add it.

3) cancel any coeficient by doing the oposite of its opporation for instance if you have 2x you are multiplying the variable by two so to isolate the variable divide by two also if you have x/2 you are dividing by two hence the opposite action is to multiply by 2.

4) Note that for any thing done on the left you do it on the right side