Vocabulary

Variable - a letter (A-Z) that takes the place of a number.

Equation - an example would be: 8y - 3 = 1 + 10y (The answer is -2 [negative two] = y)

Lesson

NOTE: WHAT YOU DO TO ONE SIDE YOU MUST DO TO THE OTHER! NO EXCEPTIONS!

1) do the distributive property.

2) Combine like terms on both sides.

3) add/subtract numbers next to a variable on both sides.

4) divide by the number next to the variable on both sides.

5) The answer should look like: x=20 or 20=x

(Note: the variables and numbers may vary in your answer.)

Example Problems

A simple problem:

2(x + 5) = 5(x − 10)<---Problem

2x + 10 = 5x − 50<---Distributive Prop.

2x + 10 − 2x = 5x − 2x − 50<---Subtract the variables with numbers next to them.

10 = 3x − 50<---This is what your left with.

10 + 50 = 3x − 50 + 50<---get rid of the 50 by subtracting

60 = 3x<---This is what your left with.

60 / 3 = 3x / 3<---Get rid of the three by dividing by three

20 = x<---This is your answer.