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Solving Equations in One Variable
In this example, a two-step equation involving subtraction is solved.
Review of solving equations in one variable:
In this set of Math Tutorials, we focus on solving equations of the following forms:
x + a = b
x – a = b
For each equation, a and b are integers. Solving equations of this type involves a one-step process of subtracting a from both sides of the equation in order to find the solution. Solving equations of these types does bring up some different possibilities:
a > 0. Solving equations of this form when a is greater is than zero is the most straightforward. For the addition equation, simply subtract a from both sides. For the subtraction equation, simply add a to both sides.
a < 0. Solving equations of this form when a is less is than zero is not as straightforward, and you must keep track of the signs. The addition equation can be rewritten as a subtraction equation and solved that way; or you can simply subtract the negative a from both sides of the equation. The subtraction equation can be rewritten as an addition equation and solved that way; or you can simply subtract the negative a from both sides of the equation.
Solving equations of this form is also a way of testing your knowledge of adding and subtracting integers. Make sure that you know how to do the following:
- Adding positive integers
- Adding negative and positive integers
- Subtracting positive integers
- Subtracting negative and positive integers
- Recognizing when two or more integers cancel each other out, leaving zero
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The library of Math Tutorials is a comprehensive collection of worked-out solutions to common math problems. This overcomes a common limitation of most textbooks: the handful of worked-out examples for a given concept. We provide the full array of examples and solutions, allowing students to identify patterns among the solutions, in order to aid concept retention. We also have quizzes for many of these topics.
Our current inventory of Math Examples include:
- Math Tutorial: Examples Using Algebra Tiles
- Math Tutorial: Solving Equations in One Variable
- Math Tutorial: Solving Equations with Fractions
- Math Tutorial: Solving Equations with Percents
- Math Tutorial: Slope formula
- Math Tutorial: Midpoint formula
- Math Tutorial: Distance formula
- Math Tutorial: Graphing linear functions, given m and b
- Math Tutorial: Graphing absolute value functions
- Math Tutorial: Graphing linear inequalities
- Math Tutorial: Using the Point-Slope form
- Math Tutorial: Finding the equation of a line given two points
- Math Tutorial: Graphing parallel and perpendicular lines
- Math Tutorial: Solving quadratics graphically
- Math Tutorial: Solving quadratics by completing the square
- Math Tutorial: Factoring Quadratics
- Math Tutorial: Polynomial Expansion
- Math Tutorial: Solving quadratics using the quadratic formula
- Math Tutorial: Using FOIL
