Handout: The Equation Balancer

Keep the scales balanced by doing the same thing to both sides!

Example:

Solve for x:

x + 6 = 14

To get 'x' by itself, we do the opposite of '+ 6', which is '- 6'. We must do it to both sides.

x + 6 - 6 = 14 - 6

x = 8

Your Turn: Solve for the variable

  1. a + 10 = 22

    a = ___

  2. b - 5 = 11

    b = ___

  3. 3c = 18 (Remember, 3c means 3 x c)

    c = ___

  4. d / 4 = 5 (d divided by 4)

    d = ___

Challenge Zone

Can you solve this two-step equation?

2x + 3 = 15

Hint: Get rid of the '+ 3' first!

x = ___