Solve these linear equations by clicking and dragging
a number to the "other" side of the equal sign.
Remember that you are "isolating" the unknown "X" to solve the
problem.
(Examples are provided below.)
Solving example #1: find x if 2x + 4 = 10
| |
linear equation #1:
steps to solve |
2x + 4 = 10
math |
|
1. |
Isolate "x" to one side of the equation
by subtracting 4 from both sides: |
2x + 4 - 4 = 10 - 4 2x = 6 |
| 2. |
Divide both sides by 2: |
2x / 2 = 6 / 2 x = 3 |
| 3. |
Check your work with the original equation: |
2x + 4 = 10
(2 * 3) + 4 = 10
6 + 4 = 10 |
Solving example #2: find x if 3x
- 4 = -10
(using negatives)
| |
linear equation #2:
steps to solve |
3x - 4 = -10
math |
|
1. |
Isolate "x" to one side of the equation
by adding 4 to both sides: |
3x - 4 + 4 = -10 + 4 3x = -6 |
| 2. |
Divide both sides by 3: |
3x / 3 = -6 / 3
x = -2 |
| 3. |
Check your work with the original equation: |
(3 * -2) - 4 = -10
-6 - 4 = -10 |
Solving example #3: find x if: 4x
-
4y = 8
(using more than one variable)
| |
linear equation #3:
steps to solve |
4x - 4y = 8
math |
|
1. |
First step is to isolate "x" to one side of the equation
by adding 4y to both sides: |
4x - 4y + 4y = 8 + 4y
4x = 8 + 4y |
| 2. |
Second step is to divide both sides by 4: |
4x / 4 = (8 + 4y) / 4
x = 2 + y
|
| 3. |
Check your work with the original equation: |
4 * (2 + y) - 4y = 8
8 + 4y - 4y = 8
8 = 8 |
Solving example #4: find x if:
x + 32
= 12
| |
linear equation #4
steps to solve |
x + 32
= 12
math:
(Note: since the square is on the
number and not on the variable,
the expression
qualifies as a linear expression |
|
1. |
First step is to square the number: |
x
+ 32 = 12
x + 9
= 12 |
| 2. |
Second step is to subtract both sides by 9: |
x
+ 9 - 9 = 12 - 9
x = 3 |
| 3. |
Check your work with the original equation: |
3
+ 32 = 12
3
+ 9 = 12
12 = 12 |
Flash exercise by Jay Austin and Jordan Noll,
College of Design; Brad Hokanson, faculty, College
of Design, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN;
with refinements
by: Steve Kladstrup, Independent Flash
Developer, Minneapolis, MN.
Thanks to John Hocutt for his
contributions to this page – John is a
professional math & science tutor based in Redondo Beach, CA
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