Question

Solve for x.

x - 10 = -30

Answer 1

Any ideas?

Answer 2

What number minus 10 equals -30?

Answer 3

Since 10 is being subtracted from the left side, what do you need to do to the left side to undo that subtraction?

Answer 4

subtract 10 from both sides?

Answer 5

x=-20

Answer 6

No.
To undo an operation, you need to do the opposite operation.
What is the opposite operation to subtraction?

Answer 7

Oh you add 10 to both sides ok

Answer 8

x - 10 = -30
x=-30+10
x=-20 No?

Answer 9

That's it.
Add 10 to both sides to undo the subtraction on the left side.
This will give you just x on the left side and the answer on the right side.

Answer 10

x=40

Answer 11

No.
The right side is _negative_ 30, not 30.
What is -30 + 10?

Answer 12

Its -20

Answer 13

Great. Now let's check the solution.
x - 10 = -30
We are saying that x = -20, so let's substitute -20 in for x:
-20 - 10 = -30
-30 = -30
Since we have a true statement, x = -20 is correct.

Answer 14

Ok thank you so much.

Answer 15

wlcm

Answer 16

So actually x=-20 is the answer..?

Answer 17

Yes.
Solution: x = -20

Answer 18

Why did you go in so much depth? :P bored aye?

Answer 19

@mathstudent55

Answer 20

What?