ushajalgebra

How to Solve

Algebra is just like a puzzle where we start with something like "x − 2 = 4" and we want to end up with something like "x = 6".

But instead of saying "obviously x=6", use this neat step-by-step approach:

• Work out what to remove to get "x = ..."
• Remove it by doing the opposite (adding is the opposite of subtracting)
• Do that to both sides

Here is an example:

We want
to remove
the "−2"

 

To remove it, do
the opposite, in
this case add 2

Do it to
both sides

 

Which is ...

Solved!

Why did we add 2 to both sides?

To "keep the balance"...

In Balance

Add 2 to Left Side

Out of Balance!

Add 2 to Right Side Also

In Balance Again

Just remember this:

To keep the balance, what we do to one side of the "=" we should also do to the other side!