Linear Equations
Undo operations in reverse order and keep the equation balanced.
The rules
- Whatever you do to one side, do to the other.
- Distribute first, then combine like terms, then isolate the variable.
- Check by substituting the answer back.
- If the variable disappears, you get either no solution or infinitely many.
Watch out: Forgetting to distribute a negative sign across parentheses.
Worked example
Solve 3(x − 2) = 2x + 5.
- 3x − 6 = 2x + 5.
- x = 11.
Answer: x = 11
Try it yourself
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