I am working on "Multistep Equations" in Algebra 1 and they didn't explain how to solve one of the formulas in my book. Here are a couple of the questions:

9x - 4 = 7x - 10
x = ?

5x - 2 = 3x - 20
x = ?

I don't see an easy way to come up with that answer. Can anyone help me find the way to solve these problems? Thanks!
Matt

ms_compassion

Matt: I am going to try to help you with a little explanation.

To solve the equation 9x - 4 = 7x - 10; you must try to get your x's on the same side (try the left side of the equal sign because that is how the answer to the equation is read). Which means you have to take the 7x and move it to the left side. In order to cancel out the 7x on the right side you have to add a -7x to it. Understand, you cannot do anything to the right side that you did not do to the left side, so you must add a
-7x to the left side also.

After adding a -7x to the right side, it cancels out. After adding it to the left side there is a positive 2x remaining. Now, in order to move the -4 to the right side of the equal sign, you must add a positive 4 to it to cancel it out. (always) keep in mind you cannot do to one side what you do not do to the other, so you must add a positive 4 to the right side. After that, the positive and negative 4 cancel and on the right side you have a -6 left. Now, the equation reads
2x = - 6. Solve for x by dividing each side by 2. When you do that the 2's cancel and leave only the 1x (the number 1 is invisible when dealing with algebra) and on the right it leaves a -3. Therefore, x = - 3.

Now, try to solve the other equation using the exact same method.

leopardgeckomatt

Thanks! I understand it now!!!! Thank you very much for your help!
Matt

amber091_2007

a number whose product with 6 is the same as its sum with 60

ashleyme05

If x=3/5 then 5/9x equals