Solving 1-Variable Equations: Variable on One Side of the Equation
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an undo feature, like control z, for everyday life?
What is a 1 - variable equation? Check out the first graphic in the fundamental Problem Solving: Writing 1-Variable Equations
What does it mean to solve a 1-Variable Equation with the variable on one side of the equation?
When solving a 1-variable equation we are trying to find the value for the variable that makes the two expressions equal.
What does it mean to solve a 1.pdfInverse Operations: Addition and Subtraction; Multiplication and Division
When solving 1-variable equations with the variable on one side, the focus is isolating the variable and getting any constant and/or coefficient (all the numbers) away from the variable and onto the other side of the equation. To do this you need to understand how to undo the four basic math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. In math, the fancy way to say undo is to say inverse.
Inverse Operations.pdfHow do you solve a 1-Variable Equation with the variable on one side?
Example 1: Using subtraction to undo addition
Example 1.pdfExample 2: Using addition to undo subtraction
Example 2.pdfExample 3: Using multiplication to undo division
Example 3.pdfExample 4: Using division to undo multiplication
Example 4.pdfExample 5: Combining like terms to solve
Example 5.pdfIf you need more help with combining like terms check out the fundamental Simplifying Expressions!
Why do we learn how to solve 1-Variable Equations?
We learn how to solve equations to begin developing the skill of taking something apart (undoing) to find the root cause or diagnose the problem. When a house has water damage a contractor will peel back layers of the house to determine the root cause of the water source creating the damage. Much like a mechanic may have to remove parts of a car to locate and fix the main problem of the car. What may seem like simple steps to undo a math operation will eventually lead to greater problems in different careers that require the same approach: undo an operation to solve the problem.
What’s next? Taking the next step in solving 1-variable equations looks at when the variable is on both sides of the equation. Check out the fundamentals Solving 1-Variable Equations: variable on both sides of the equation!
