Solving One-Step Equations

It is important to learn this process, so that

you can apply it to more difficult equations!

Solving One-Step Equations

left side
​We can only have one = sign in the equation.

Every equation has 2 sides, separated

by the = sign.

6 + 3x

=
12
right side
We also use INVERSE OPERATIONS.
The inverse of multiplication is division.
The inverse of division is multiplication.
The inverse of subtraction is addition.

The inverse of addition is subtraction.

Example  1

The inverse of addition is subtraction, so we need

to subtract 9 from both sides of the equation.

We need to UNDO the 9, which is added to p.

+  9  =  12
p
-
9
=
- 9
3

You must show

the steps of

solving your

equations in

this manner!

Example  2

We need to UNDO the 3, which is subtracted from s.

The inverse of subtraction is addition, so we need

to add 3 to both sides of the equation.

s

 -  3  =  17

+

3

=
+ 3

20

You must show

the steps of

solving your

equations!

Example  3

The inverse of multiplication is division, so we need

to divide both sides of the equation by 5.

We need to UNDO the 5, which is multiplied by x.

 5x    =     35

5

x

=

   5

7

You must show

the steps of

solving your

equations!

So what would we do here?

x is being divided by 3.  What is the inverse operation?
x
3
=
6
x=
fill in blanks--solve
3x=6
3x=6
x=
fill in blanks--solve
x
-5
=
8
x=
fill in blanks--solve
-4x = 24
-4x=24
x=
fill in blanks--solve
x
-9
=
-7
x=
fill in blanks--solve
7x = -56
7x = -56
x=
fill in blanks--solve
-7x = -35
-7x = -35
x=
fill in blanks--solve
x
-4
=
1
6
x=
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