Study Guide: Solving Equations
1. Introduction to Equations
An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions. The
main goal is to determine the value(s) of the variable(s) that make the equation true.
Key concepts:
Variable: A letter or symbol representing an unknown value (E.g., 𝑥, y, etc.).
Expression: A combination of numbers, variables, and operations (E.g., 2 𝑥 + 5).
Equation: A mathematical statement involving an equal sign (E.g., 2 𝑥 + 5 = 15).
Substitution: Replacing the variable with a number.
E.g.: If 𝑥 = 4, Find the value of 𝑥 + 2
If x = 4, Then
=𝑥+2
= 4 + 2 (Replacing 𝑥 with 4)
=6
The goal of solving an equation is to find the value of the variable that makes both sides of
the equation equal.
2. Basic Steps in Solving Equations
The process of solving an equation can be broken down into clear steps:
Step 1: Identify the equation
Recognize the equation by understanding what the variable is and what operations are
involved (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division).
Step 2: Simplify both sides of the equation
If the equation contains parentheses, fractions, or terms that can be combined, simplify both
sides as much as possible before proceeding.
• Distribute terms if necessary (E.g., 3(𝑥 + 2) = 12 becomes 3 𝑥 + 6 = 12).
• Combine like terms on both sides of the equation if there are any.
Step 3: Use inverse operations
Use inverse operations to isolate the variable. The inverse of an operation is the opposite
of that operation:
• Addition and subtraction are inverses.
• Multiplication and division are inverses.
Step 4: Solve for the variable
Perform the operations needed to isolate the variable completely.
Step 5: Verify the solution
Substitute the value you found for the variable back into the original equation to check if
both sides are equal. If they are, the solution is correct.
Note: An equation is like a balance scale. It shows that two things are equal.
For example:
𝒙+𝟑=𝟕
This means something (𝑥) plus 3 equals 7.
To solve it, we need to figure out what number makes this true.
We want to get "𝒙 “alone on one side. To do that, we do the opposite of +3 ( Inverse
operation), which is -3.
Think of it like removing 3 from the left side to cancel it out. But since it's a balance, we
must also remove 3 from the right side to keep it balanced.
𝑥+3=7
Subtract 3 from both sides:
𝑥+3−3=7−3
𝑥=4
So,
𝑥=4
Think of an equation like a math mystery. You're trying to figure out what number the
variable stands for to make both sides the same. Solving an equation is like being a
detective—step by step, you uncover the answer!
Explanation on Cancelling
To cancel out a number from one side of the equation, we do the opposite operation. We
do the same to both sides to keep the equation balanced.
Addition (cancel by subtracting):
Equation:
𝒙+𝟓=𝟗
To remove +5, subtract 5 from both sides:
𝑥+5−5=9−5
𝑥=4
Subtraction (cancel by adding):
Equation:
𝒙 − 𝟕 = 𝟏𝟎
To remove -7, add +7 to both sides:
𝑥 − 7 + 7 = 10 + 7
𝑥 = 17
Multiplication (cancel by dividing):
Equation:
𝟒 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎
4 𝒙 means 𝟒 × 𝒙
To cancel the 4, divide both sides by 4:
4𝑥 20
=
4 4
𝑥=5
Division (cancel by multiplying):
Equation:
𝒙
=𝟔
𝟑
To remove the division by 3, multiply both sides by 3:
𝒙
×𝟑 = 𝟔×𝟑
𝟑
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟖
Always remember:
• If a number is added, subtract it.
• If a number is subtracted, add it.
• If a number is multiplied, divide it.
• If a number is divided, multiply it.
Sample Worked Example
A. Simple Equations (Linear Equations)
These involve addition or subtraction of terms to find the value of the unknown variable.
Example 1: Solve 𝑥 + 5 = 12
Step-by-step:
Subtract 5 from both sides:
𝑥 + 5 - 5 = 12 - 5
𝑥=7
Thus, the solution is 𝑥 = 7.
B. Equations Involving Multiplication and Division
These types of equations involve multiplying or dividing by a constant.
Example 2: Solve 3 𝑥 = 15
Step-by-step:
Divide both sides by 3:
𝟑𝒙 𝟏𝟓
=
𝟑 𝟑
𝒙=𝟓
Thus, the solution is x = 5.
Example 3: Solve 4 𝑥 = 20
Step-by-step:
1. Identify the operation
We need to isolate the variable x.
The equation is 4x = 20, and we need to get rid of the multiplier 4.
2. Use the inverse operation
To undo multiplication, we divide both sides of the equation by 4.
4𝑥 20
4
= 4
𝑥=5
Thus, the solution is 𝑥 = 5.
𝒙
Note: (𝒙 /4) can be denoted as (𝒙 ÷ 4) and (𝟒)
C. Two-Step Equations and Word Problems worked out examples
Key Concepts:
• Two-Step Equations: Equations requiring two operations to solve.
• Translating Word Problems: Converting real-life situations into mathematical
equations.
Example 4:
Solve for x:
3 𝑥 − 4 = 11
Solution:
1. Add 4 to both sides:
3 𝑥 - 4 + 4 =15 + 4
2. Divide both sides by 3:
3𝑥=5
Word Problem - Example 5:
"I think of a number, multiply it by 3, and subtract 4. The result is 11. What is the number?"
Solution:
Let the number be x.
1. Multiply the number by 3, it gives,
3𝑥
2. Subtract 4 from that number,
3𝑥–4
3. Since the result is 11. Thus, the equation is:
3 𝑥 − 4 = 11
D. Equations with Variables on Both Sides worked out examples
Key Concepts:
• Balancing Equations: Moving variables to one side and constants to the other.
• Distributive Property: Expanding expressions to simplify equations.
Example 6:
Solve for x:
2 𝒙 +3 = 𝒙 +7
Solution:
1. Subtract x from both sides:
2𝑥+3-𝑥=𝑥+7−𝑥
𝑥+3=7
2. Subtract 3 from both sides:
𝑥 +3 – 3 = 7 – 3
𝑥=4
3. Thus, 𝑥 = 4
Example 7:
𝟓𝒙 − 𝟔 = 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟒
1. Subtract from both sides:
5𝑥 − 6 − 3𝑥 = 3𝑥 + 4 − 3𝑥
2𝑥 − 6 = 4
2. Add 6 to both sides:
2𝑥 − 6 + 6 = 4 + 6
2𝑥 = 10
3. Divide by 2:
2𝑥 10
2
= 2
𝑥=5
Example 8: With Distributive Property:
Solve for x:
2(𝒙 +3) =14
Solution:
1. Apply distributive property:
2 𝑥 +6=14
2. Subtract 6 from both sides:
2 𝑥 + 6 – 6 = 14 – 6
2𝑥=8
3. Divide both sides by 2:
2𝑥 8
=2
2
𝑥=4
E. Advanced Equations and Applications worked out example
Key Concepts:
• Complex Equations: Involving fractions and multiple variables.
• Real-Life Applications: Using equations to solve practical problems.
Example 9:
Solve for 𝑥 :
(𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑)
=𝟓
𝟒
Solution:
1. Multiply both sides by 4:
(2𝑥 − 3)
×4=5 ×4
4
2. Add 3 to both sides:
2 𝑥 – 3 + 3 =20 + 3
2 𝑥 = 23
3. Divide both sides by 2:
2𝑥 23
=
2 2
𝑥 = 11.5
Practice Problems
Here is a set of practice problems, organized by difficulty. Attempt these problems to
reinforce your understanding.
Easy (Basic Addition/Subtraction Equations)
1. x + 3 = 5
2. x - 2 = 6
3. 7 + x = 12
4. x - 4 = 8
5. x + 8 = 10
6. x + 1 = 4
7. x - 5 = 10
8. x + 4 = 7
9. 3 + x = 9
10. x - 6 = 11
Moderate (Involving Multiplication/Division)
11. 4x = 16
12. x/5 = 4
13. 3x = 9
14. x/2 = 6
15. 2x + 3 = 7
16. 5x = 25
17. x/3 = 5
18. 6x = 36
19. x/4 = 8
20. 3x + 4 = 10
Challenging (Multi-step Equations)
21. 3(x + 4) = 18
22. 2x + 3 = 3x - 1
23. 4x - 5 = 2x + 7
24. 5(x - 3) = 4x + 2
25. 2(x + 2) = 3x - 5
26. x/3 + 2 = 6
27. 3x - 7 = 2x + 5
28. 5x + 2 = 3x + 12
29. 2(x - 5) = 3x + 10
30. 7x + 3 = 2(x + 4)
Advanced (Equations Involving Fractions/Parentheses)
31. x/3 + 5 = 7
32. 2x/5 = 10
33. 3(x + 2) = 15
34. x/4 = 2
35. 4x - 3 = 2(x + 6)
36. (3x + 2)/4 = 7
37. 2(x - 4) + 3 = 9
38. (x + 6)/5 = 3
39. 2(x + 4) = 3x - 2
40. 5(x + 3) = 2x + 18
Challenging Word Problems
41. The sum of a number and 8 is equal to 20. What is the number?
42. Half of a number is 5. What is the number?
43. Three times a number, increased by 4, equals 19. Find the number.
44. A number decreased by 7 is equal to 9. Find the number.
45. A number divided by 4 equals 5. What is the number?
46. The difference between two numbers is 6. The larger number is 18. Find the smaller
number.
47. The total cost of x pens and 3 notebooks is 20. Each pen costs 2. Find the price of a
notebook.
48. If 3 times a number, added to 7, equals 22, find the number.
49. Twice a number decreased by 5 equals 13. Find the number.
50. Half of a number, added to 12, gives 20. What is the number?
