Solving Linear Equations Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What is the balance rule for solving equations?

Whatever you do to one side, you must do exactly the same to the other side.

What are the steps to solve a two-step equation?

e.g. $5p + 7 = 22$

1. Subtract 7 from both sides: $5p = 15$
2. Divide both sides by 5: $p = 3$

How do you find an approximate solution of a linear equation from a graph?

e.g. $2x + 1 = 4$

Draw $y = 2x + 1$ and $y = 4$, then read off the $x$-coordinate where the lines cross.

Which operations undo each other when solving a one-step equation?

Add undoes subtract, and multiply undoes divide.
e.g. to solve $\frac{x}{4} = 3$ you multiply both sides by 4.

What is the first step when the unknown is added to itself several times on one side?
e.g. $x + x + x = 51$

Collect like terms.
$x + x + x = 3x$, so the equation becomes $3x = 51$.