One of the basic rules is: Whatever you do to one side, you must do the same thing to the other side.
Think of an equation as having two balanced sides. The equal sign in the middle is the center of the balance beam. In fact, you can almost see the word equal in the word equation. Whenever you see the equal sign =, understand the assumption is that both sides of the equation actually do equal each other.
The trick of the game is to make sure every step of solving the equation keeps the equation in balance. If you take something away from one side and don't take it away from the other side, then the equation is no longer in balance. The two sides no longer equal each other.
It's time to Solve an Equation!
See the Order of Operations page.
Are you ready for some Practice equations?
Get Math Homework Help from the Discovery School web page.
Go to the Math Forum at Swarthmore College.
Go to the SCORE Math page by the Kings County Office of Education.
See the California Mathematics Academic Standards for K - 12.