On the left side, there are two large weights of mass y and three small weights of mass 1. Represent this side with the expression 2y + 3.
On the right side, there are four large weights of mass y and two small weights of mass 1. Represent this side with the expression 4y + 2.
The scale is balanced, so there is equal weight on each side. We can describe the relationship between the weight on each side of the scale using the equation 2y + 3 = 4y + 2.
Combining the operations The allowed operations are:
Add the same amount to both sides (either x's or ones) Subtract the same amount from both sides (either x's or ones) Multiply both sides by the same number (but not by zero) Divide both sides by the same number (but not by zero) (There are others, too, but they are not needed in simple equations.)
The goal is to FIRST add and subtract until we have ONLY x's (blocks) on one side and ONLY ones (circles) on the other. Then, if you have more than one block, you need to divide so as to arrive to the situation with only one block on the one side, which is the solved equation!
