Question

Describe each step in solving equations with variables on both sides. Please do not just list the steps, but describe each.

Answer 1

After simplifying, the first step in solving an equation with a variable on both sides is to get the variable on one side. This is done by reversing the addition or subtraction of one of the terms with the variable. In other words, we must add to both sides or subtract from both sides one of the quantities that contains the variable. It is generally easier to add or to subtract the smaller quantity from the larger quantity, so we are working with positive coefficients, but either way works. Once the variable is on one side only, we can proceed using inverse operations, to solve for the x value.