Introduction
In this lesson, you will practice using addition, subtraction, and multiplication to solve for a variable on one side of an equation.
This video illustrates the lesson material below. Watching the video is optional.
- Solving for a Variable on One Side (Part 3): Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction (07:18 mins) | Transcript
Solving for a Variable on One Side Using Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication
Not all problems only have one thing happening at a time. Often multiplication and addition are happening. You must still add the additive inverse to both sides and multiply both sides by the multiplicative inverse, but which comes first?
When you solve to isolate a variable, work backwards or in reverse through the order of operations.
- Add or Subtract from left to right.
- Multiply or Divide from left to right.
- Evaluate Exponents.
- Simplify everything inside the parentheses.
Example 1
\begin{align*}3x + 5 &= 17 &\color{red}\small\text{Solve for x}\\\\3x + 5 \color{red}\mathbf{-5} &= 17\color{red}\mathbf{-5} &\color{red}\small\text{Additive inverse of 5 is -5}\\\\3x &= 12 &\color{red}\small\text{Simplify each side}\\\\3x \color{red}\mathbf{(\frac{1}{3})} &= 12\color{red}\mathbf{(\frac{1}{3})} &\color{red}\small\text{Multiplicative inverse of 3 is \(\frac{1}{3}\)}\\\\x &= 4 &\color{red}\small\text{Simplify each side}\\\\\end{align*}
Example 2
\begin{align*}5x -8 &= 27 &\color{red}\small\text{Solve for x}\\\\5x -8 \color{red}\mathbf{+8} &= 27\color{red}\mathbf{+8} &\color{red}\small\text{Additive inverse of -8 is +8}\\\\5x &= 35 &\color{red}\small\text{Simplify each side}\\\\5x \color{red}\mathbf{(\frac{1}{5})} &= 35\color{red}\mathbf{(\frac{1}{5})} &\color{red}\small\text{Multiplicative inverse of 5 is \(\frac{1}{5}\)}\\\\x &= 7 &\color{red}\small\text{Simplify each side}\\\\\end{align*}
Remember, when solving for a variable, use the Order of Operations (PEMDAS), but go backward instead. The practice problems above only deal with multiplication and addition/subtraction, so add the additive inverse first, then multiply by the multiplicative inverse.
Things to Remember
- Work backwards through the order of operations to isolate a variable.
- Make sure to rewrite the equation after performing a step. It will ensure that no steps are skipped or forgotten.
Practice Problems
Solve for the variable:- \(5{\text{M}} + 2 = 12\) (Solution
- \(-2{\text{Q}} + 1 = 5\) (Solution
- \(2{\text{n}} + 9 = -5\) (Solution
- \(8{\text{k}} {-} 7 = 17\) (Solution
- \(-3{\text{x}} + 14 = -7\) (Solution
- \(-5{\text{q}} {-} 29 = 41\) (Video Solution
- \(10{\text{f}} {-} 6 = 24\) (Video Solution
Need More Help?
- Study other Math Lessons in the Resource Center.
- Visit the Online Tutoring Resources in the Resource Center.
- Contact your Instructor.
- If you still need help, Schedule a Tutor.