Solving Linear Equations

Finding the Unknown

Solving a linear equation means finding the value of the variable that makes the equation true. The goal is to get the variable by itself on one side of the equals sign.

Consider the equation: x + 5 = 12. To solve for x, we need to undo the addition of 5. We do this by subtracting 5 from both sides of the equation:

x + 5 - 5 = 12 - 5

x = 7

This is the 'balancing' rule: whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other side to keep it balanced.

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Check Your Understanding

Question 1
Hint
To isolate y, you need to do the opposite of subtracting 3.

What is the value of y in the equation y - 3 = 10?

Question 2
Hint
To undo multiplication, you should use division.

Solve for z: 4z = 20

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