1. Get That Variable By
Itself!
How to solve equations without really
trying!

2. x + 6 = 17 To get the variable
x + 6 = 17 by itself:
- 6 -6 Cancel out the number
x = 11 using the opposite
operation on both
a÷8=4 sides!
a÷8=4
Addition pairs with subtraction
x8 x8
a = 32 Multiplication pairs with division
Solving One-Step Equations

3. 3x – 7 = 17 To get x by itself:
3x - 7 = 17
+7 +7 First, cancel the addition or
subtraction.
3x = 24
÷3 ÷3 Second, cancel the
x =8 multiplication or division.
Solving Two-Step Equations

4. 2x + 8 + 8x + 12 = 180 To get x by itself:
- First, combine any like
terms on the SAME SIDE
10x + 20 = 180 of the equal sign.
10x + 20 = 180
- 20 - 20 - Then, cancel the addition
or subtraction using the
10x = 160 opposite operation.
÷10 ÷10
x = 16 - Finally, cancel the
multiplication or division
using the opposite
operation.
Combining Like Terms and Solving

5. 7x – 5 = 4x + 13 To get x by itself:
7x – 5 = 4x + 13 - First, cancel the variable
on the right side by
- 4x -4x subtracting from the same
3x – 5 = 13 variable on the right.
- Then, cancel the addition
3x – 5 = 13
or subtraction using the
+5 +5 opposite operation.
3x = 18 - Finally, cancel the
multiplication or division
÷3 ÷3 using the opposite
x=6 operation.
Solving With Variables on Both
Sides of the Equal Sign

6. 1) x÷3=9
2) 3x + 5 = 20
3) 4x + 8 + 2x + 1 = 39
4) 10x + 6 = 5x + 16
Now You Try Some!

7. 1) x = 27
2) x = 5
3) x = 5
4) x = 2
Answers