Example:
Solve for x in the following equation : x + 5 = 9
step 1: Collect like terms. => x + 5 (- 5) = 9 (- 5)
step 2: x = 9-5
Answer : x = 4
Explanation: The first thing to do when solving for a variable like this is to follow two rules:
Rule number 1: Collect like terms to one side. In this example 5 and 9 are numbers and x is a letter. To move a positive number to the other side, you subtract the same number. To move a negative number to the other side, you add the same number. For eaxample to move +5 to the other side, you subtract 5 on the side.
Rule number 2: Whatever you do to one side of the equal sign, you must also do to the other side. If you subtracted 5 from the left side, you will have to subtract from the right. Thus you have to subtract 5 from the 9
In this case on the left you have +5 and -5 (which would give you zero, thus x + 0 results in x). On the right, now you have (9 - 5), which is equal to 4.
Once you get like term on one side, all you have to do is perform basic arithmetic.
Double check your answer by substituting your answer for the letter in the original equation
( 4 ) + 5 = 9
if the two sides are not equal then your answer is wrong, if they are equal then your answer is right. |
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