Solving Equations

What are the two basic rules for solving algebraic equations?

• Whatever you do to one side of the equal sign, you must copy and do on the other side of the equal sign

• Negative signs can be ignored

• Always start on the left side, regardless of where the variable is

• Always do the opposite operation

One way to be certain of your work and having the correct solution is to what?

• Isolate the variable

• Inverse operations

• Opposite

• Check your solution

To check your solution. You do what first?

• Isolate the variable

• Opposite

• Substitute the variable with the answer

• Use the "Golden Rule"

Solve for x:

2x -1(3+4x) = 11

• x = -4

• x = 7/3

• x = -7

• x = -17/8

Solve: 3(x-4) = -3

• 3
• -3
• 5
• -5

12x = 144

• x = 12
• x = 4
• x = 2
• x = 132

Simplify:
5(3x+1)

• 15x+1
• 15x+5
• 8x+1
• 8x+6

Solve for x:

2x - 3 + 4x = 27

• x = 12

• x = 4

• x = 5

• x = 15

What is the correct step to solve for the variable?
15 = m - 5

• add 15 to both sides
• add 5 to both sides
• subtract 15 from both sides
• subtract 5 from both sides

Solve for b:
-11 + 3(b + 5) = 7

• b = 1
• b = -1
• b = 3
• b = -3