Isolating Variables in Equations

The video tutorial by M Squared focuses on solving two-step literal linear equations, emphasizing that the process is similar to solving regular linear equations but involves more variables and fewer numbers. The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to isolating the variable x by using inverse operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Several examples are demonstrated to illustrate these steps, highlighting the importance of handling terms carefully and using parentheses when necessary. The video concludes with tips for successfully solving literal equations.

What is a common challenge when solving literal linear equations?

• The equations are too short.

• There are not many numbers involved.

• There are not enough variables.

• There are too many numbers.

What defines a literal equation?

• An equation with mostly numbers.

• An equation with mostly variables.

• An equation with no variables.

• An equation with only one variable.

What is the first step in isolating x in a literal equation?

• Multiply by a constant.

• Add or subtract the term that is added or subtracted to x.

• Divide by a constant.

• Add a new variable.

What should you do if x is being multiplied by a term?

• Divide both sides by the term.

• Subtract the term from both sides.

• Add the term to both sides.

• Multiply both sides by the term.

In the first example, what operation is used to eliminate the term added to x?

• Subtraction

• Division

• Addition

• Multiplication

In the first example, what operation is used to eliminate the term multiplied by x?

• Subtraction

• Multiplication

• Division

• Addition

In the second example, what is added to both sides to eliminate subtraction?

• The term that is multiplied

• A constant

• A new variable

• The same term that is subtracted

In the second example, what is the final operation to isolate x?

• Multiplication

• Division

• Subtraction

• Addition

In the third example, what is the first step to solve the equation?

• Divide both sides by a term

• Subtract a term from both sides

• Add a term to both sides

• Multiply both sides by a term

In the third example, what is done after adding a term to both sides?

• Divide both sides by a term

• Multiply both sides by a term

• Add another term to both sides

• Subtract a term from both sides