Solving Equations

1/4m = -3 (Solve for M, flip the fraction and multiply. Remember if you see one negative, your answer is negative. Two negatives make a positive)

• 12

• -12

• -3/4

• 3/4

8 - 4x = 32 (Subtract 8 from both sides. Bring down - 4x = 24. then divide both sides by -4

• 12

• -12

• 8

• -6

Choose the correct equation for the following sentence: 7 less than half a number is 21. (remember, 7 less means you need to subtract 7 from something. Half a number means you need a variable cut in half and is means =)

• 7 - 1/2n = 21

• 21 - 7 = 1/2n

• 1/2n - 7 = 21

• 7n - 1/2 = 21

Choose the correct equation for the following sentence: the sum of 5 times a number and 9 is 14. (Remember, sum means to add, 5 times a number means you need to multiply 5 by a variable and is means =)

• 5n + 9 = 14

• 9 - 5n = 14

• 14 + 5n = 9

• 5n + 14 = 9

Solve for the variable: 12 + 5m = -18 (you need to subtract 12 from both 12 and -18. This cancels out 12 on the left side. Then divide both remaining numbers by 5)

• 1

• -6

• -1

• 6

Solve for the variable: 4m - 8 = 2m + 10 (you need to subtract 2m from 2m and 4m. This cancels out the 2m's on the right side. Then add 8 to -8 and 10. This cancels out the 8's on the left side. Finally divide both remaining numbers by 2m)

• -9

• 3

• 9

• -3

John charges a fee of $12 plus $8 an hour to mow lawns. Ashton charges a $20 fee but only charges $6 an hour. How many hours will they both have to work before they make the same amount? Use the equation 8h + 12 = 6h + 20

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Solve for the variable: 4(3m - 8) = 28 (use the distributive property and multiply 4 by 3m and 4 by 8. This will get rid of parenthesis. Then you will add 32 to both - 32 and 28. Finally divide both remaining numbers by 12)

• 5

• 2

• 1.5

• 10

Solve: 10(m - 4) = 2(5m - 20) *use the distributive property on both sides, do 10 times 1m and 10 times 4. Then do 2 times 5m and 2 times 20. If both sides look identical, m can be any number)

• 0

• 5

• all real numbers

• 10

Solve: 3(-2b + 4) = -5(2b + 4) *Use the distributive property to multiply 3 times -2b and 3 times 4. Then -5 times 2b and -5 times 4. *Add -10b to both -10b and -6b. *Then subtract 12 from 12 and -20. *Finally divide both remaining numbers by 4b

• -8

• 8

• 6

• -6