Solving a linear equation involves isolating the variable on one side of the equation.
This can often be accomplished using the addition principle. The addition principle tells us that adding (or subtracting) the same number on both sides of an equation does not change its solution.
For example, suppose that we want to solve the equation
The variable is not isolated, because we also have a on the left-hand side.
To isolate , we can perform the opposite operation, which is subtracting from This way, the and will cancel out to which will leave alone. Remember to do this to both sides of the equation!
So is our solution. Let's check that our solution is correct by plugging it back into the original equation:
Find the solution to the equation
First, let's rewrite the left-hand-side so that it's similar to what we've seen before.
To isolate , we need to perform the opposite of adding to , which is subtracting from Remember to perform the same operation on the right-hand side.
If $z +9 =24,$ then $z=$
a
|
$-16$ |
b
|
$-15$ |
c
|
$15$ |
d
|
$16$ |
e
|
$13$ |
If $q + 6=7,$ then $q=$
a
|
$-1$ |
b
|
$13$ |
c
|
$0$ |
d
|
$-13$ |
e
|
$1$ |
Solve the equation
To isolate , we need to perform the opposite of subtracting from , which is adding to Remember to perform the same operation on the right-hand side.
If $-5 + x = 54$, then $x=$
a
|
$49$ |
b
|
$-39$ |
c
|
$-49$ |
d
|
$39$ |
e
|
$59$ |
If $x-17=4$, then $x=$
a
|
$-13$ |
b
|
$22$ |
c
|
$21$ |
d
|
$-21$ |
e
|
$13$ |
What is the solution to the equation
First, let's swap the left and right-hand sides so that the variable is on the left-hand side.
To isolate , we need to perform the opposite of subtracting from , which is adding to Remember to perform the same operation on the right-hand side.
Find the value of $t$ that satisfies the equation $-25=t-11.$
a
|
$t = 14$ |
b
|
$t = -16$ |
c
|
$t = -36$ |
d
|
$t = -14$ |
e
|
$t = 36$ |
Find the value of $m$ that satisfies the equation $-15=m-10.$
a
|
$m = 25$ |
b
|
$m = -25$ |
c
|
$m = -5$ |
d
|
$m = 15$ |
e
|
$m = 5$ |
Solve the equation
First, let's swap the left and right-hand sides so that the variable is on the left-hand side.
To isolate , we need to perform the opposite of adding to , which is subtracting from Remember to perform the same operation on the right-hand side.
Find the solution to the equation $1.8=w-4.7.$
a
|
$w = 2.9$ |
b
|
$w = -2.9$ |
c
|
$w = -6.5$ |
d
|
$w = 3.9$ |
e
|
$w = 6.5$ |
Solve the equation $\dfrac{5}{6} = z - \dfrac{1}{3}.$
a
|
$z = \dfrac{1}{2}$ |
b
|
$z = \dfrac{5}{4}$ |
c
|
$z = \dfrac{7}{6}$ |
d
|
$z = \dfrac{1}{6}$ |
e
|
$z = \dfrac{6}{5}$ |