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Solve equations with balance
An equation says that two expressions have equal values. Preserve that equality by doing the same permitted operation to both sides. Undo addition before multiplication in a simple two-step equation.
Substitute your result into the original equation. This catches arithmetic and sign mistakes. Variables represent quantities, not labels attached to a number.
Worked example
3x + 5 = 20. Subtract 5 from both sides: 3x = 15. Divide both sides by 3: x = 5.
Try it yourself
Solve 4x − 3 = 17 and verify by substitution.
Check your understanding
What solves 3x + 5 = 20?
3 × 5 + 5 is 20.
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