Question

I don’t get solving equations with variables on both sides word problems. Can someone please help explain it to me because my teacher doesn’t really explain very good

Answer 1

The object of any equation with a variable (whether it is on one side or both) is to isolate the variable.  We do this by moving all of the x's to one side of the equation and everything else to the other side.

For example:

3x - 5 = 2x + 1

-2x         -2x    

 x  - 5 =         1

    +5           +5

x         =         6

Now, there are 3 different types of solutions:

1) x = ____  there is one solution

2) 0 = 0   or some other TRUE statement  there are infinite solutions because every value for x is a solution

3) 0 = 1   or some other FALSE statement  there are no solutions because no value for x will provide a solution

HOPE THIS HELPED!