The solution of an equation is, in fact, a numerical value that, if we place it in place of the unknown (or the variable), we will achieve equality between the two members of the equation, that is, we will obtain a "true statement". In first degree equations with one unknown, there can only be one solution.

Example:

X1=5X - 1 = 5

Solution of an equation x-1=5

This is an equation with one unknown or variable indicated by the letter XX. The equation is composed of two members separated by the use of the equal sign = = . The left member is everything to the left of the sign = = , and the right member is everything to the right of the sign.

Our goal is to isolate the variable (or clear the variable) X X so that only it remains in one of the members of the equation. In this way we will discover its value. In this article we will learn how to use the four mathematical operations(addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) to isolate the variable X X .

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Test yourself on linear equations!

einstein

Solve the equation

\( 5x-15=30 \)

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In this article we will get to know the equations and learn simple ways to solve them.


We will now look at equations with only one unknown

For example

Let's go back to the equation of the previous example:

X1=5X-1 = 5

We want to isolate XX. To do this we will add 11 to both members of the equation.

We will write it like this:

X1=5X-1 = 5

We will obtain:

x1+1=5+1x-1 + 1 = 5 + 1

That is:

X=6X = 6

And, this is the solution to our equation. We can always check if we got it right by putting our answer in the original equation. Let's put X=6 X=6 into the equation

X1=5X-1 = 5

and we get

61=5 6-1 = 5

5=55=5

this is a true statement, 55 really equals 55, i.e., our solution is correct.


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Another example

Z+7=15Z + 7 = 15

First let's see that this time the variable is ZZ. The variable can be denoted by any letter we want.

As we have explained before, we are interested in finding the value of the ZZ that will give us the solution to the equation. Therefore, we will now try to isolate ZZ. We will do this by subtracting 77 from the two members of the equation.

It looks like this:

Z+7=15Z + 7 = 15

We will obtain:

Z+77=157Z + 7 -7 = 15 – 7

Z=8Z = 8

This is the solution of the equation. Again, it is always convenient to check if we have found the correct value of the unknown by placing our answer in the original equation.

Let's remember what the original equation was:

Z+7=15Z + 7 = 15

let's put

Z=8Z = 8

and we will get:

8+7=158 + 7 = 15

15=1515=15

This really is a true statement, i.e., the answer we received is correct.


Solving equations by applying multiplication and division operations

So far we have solved equations by applying addition and subtraction operations to both sides of the equation. Now we will see other examples of equations that we will solve with multiplication and division operations:

Do you know what the answer is?

Exercise 1

Find the value of the unknown in the following equation and check that it is correct.

2X=82X = 8

We want to isolate the XX. We divide both members of the equation by 22. We will write it like this:

2X/2=8/22X/2= 8/2

and we will get :

X=4X = 4

Also in this case it is convenient to place the solution in the original equation to see if we have done it right:

2×4=82\times 4 = 8

8=88 = 8

We obtained a correct result, that is, our solution is right.


Exercise 2

Find the value of the unknown in the following equation and check that it is correct.

3Y=18-3Y = 18

To isolate the variable Y we divide both members of the equation by 3 -3

3Y/3=18/3-3Y/-3 = 18/-3

Y=6Y = -6

To verify our result, it is always convenient to place it in the original equation. Try it!


Check your understanding

Exercise 3

Find the value of the unknown in the following equation and check that it is correct.

13x=5\frac{1}{3}x=5

Here we have a fraction in the equation. We want to get rid of it and isolate the X X . We multiply both members of the equation by. 3 3

3×13x=3×53\times\frac{1}{3}x=3\times5

We will obtain:

x=15x=15

To verify this we will place the result obtained in the original equation:

13×15=5\frac{1}{3}\times 15=5

5=55=5

That is, the result obtained is correct.


Exercise 4

Find the value of the unknown in the following equation and check that it is correct.

2x+3=52x + 3 = 5

This exercise requires subtracting and dividing operations. First, we subtract 3 3 from the two members of the equation:

2x+3=52x + 3 = 5

2x+33=532x + 3 - 3 = 5 – 3

2x=22x = 2

Now we will divide the two members of the equation by. 2 2 and we obtain:

2x/2=2/22x/2 = 2/2

X=1X = 1

Let's place the result obtained in the original equation to check if we have done it right:

2×1+3=52\times 1 + 3 = 5

5=55 = 5

That is, the result obtained is correct.


Do you think you will be able to solve it?

Exercise 5

Find the value of the unknown in the following equation and check that it is correct.

​​​​​​​X6=0​​​​​​​X-6=0

This exercise requires the operation of adding 6 6 in both members of the equation, so we have:
​​​​​​​X6+6=0+6​​​​​​​X-6+6=0+6

Simplifying we obtain that the solution of the equation is X=6X=6 since if we put 66 instead of the XX we will obtain the result 00 on both sides of the equation, we will have two equivalent members.


Exercise 6

Find the value of the unknown in the following equation and check that it is correct.

2X6=02X-6=0

This exercise requires the operation of adding 6 6 in both members of the equation, so we have:

2X6+6=0+62X-6+6=0+6

2X=62X=6

Now we divide by 2 2 both sides of the equation :

2X/2=6/22X/2=6/2

X=3X=3

The solution of the equation is X=3X=3 because if we put 33 instead of the XX we will get the result 00 on both sides of the equation, we will have two equivalent members.


Test your knowledge

Exercise 7

Find the value of the unknown in the following equation and check that it is correct.

3X5=163X-5=16

This exercise requires the operation of adding 5 5 in both members of the equation, so we have:

3X5+5=16+53X-5+5=16+5

3X=213X=21

Now we divide by 3 3 both sides of the equation:

3X/3=21/33X/3=21/3

X=7X=7

The solution of the equation is X=7X=7 since if we put 77 instead of the XX we will get the result 1616 on both sides of the equation, we will have two equivalent members.


Questions on the subject

How to clear an unknown?

Isolating the variable with mathematical operations.


Do you know what the answer is?

How to isolate a variable or unknown?

Passing like terms to each side of the equality and performing mathematical operations.


How to corroborate the solution of an equation?

Substituting the value found in the original equation and check that the equality is satisfied.


Check your understanding

What is an unknown?

It is the unknown value of the equation.


How to solve a first order equation with one unknown?

Isolating the variable with mathematical operations.


Do you think you will be able to solve it?

What is a first order equation with one unknown?

It is a mathematical equality involving a variable raised to the first power and fixed values that are numbers.


Test your knowledge

Examples with solutions for Linear Equations

Exercise #1

Solve the equation

5x15=30 5x-15=30

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We start by moving the sections:

5X-15 = 30
5X = 30+15

5X = 45

 

Now we divide by 5

X = 9

Answer

x=9 x=9

Exercise #2

Solve the equation

20:4x=5 20:4x=5

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the exercise, we first rewrite the entire division as a fraction:

204x=5 \frac{20}{4x}=5

Actually, we didn't have to do this step, but it's more convenient for the rest of the process.

To get rid of the fraction, we multiply both sides of the equation by the denominator, 4X.

20=5*4X

20=20X

Now we can reduce both sides of the equation by 20 and we will arrive at the result of:

X=1

Answer

x=1 x=1

Exercise #3

Solve for X:

6x=102 6 - x = 10 - 2

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation 6x=102 6 - x = 10 - 2 , follow these steps:

  1. First, simplify both sides of the equation:

  2. On the right side, calculate 102=8 10 - 2 = 8 .

  3. The equation simplifies to 6x=8 6 - x = 8 .

  4. To isolate x, subtract 6 from both sides:

  5. 6x6=86 6 - x - 6 = 8 - 6

  6. This simplifies to x=2 -x = 2 .

  7. Multiply both sides by -1 to solve for x:

  8. x=2×1=2 x = -2 \times -1 = 2 .

  9. Since the problem requires only manipulation by transferring terms, the initial approach to the equation setup should lead to x = 4 as the solution before re-evaluation.

Therefore, the correct solution to the equation is x=2 x=2 .

Answer

2

Exercise #4

Solve for X:

5x=124 5 - x = 12 - 4

Step-by-Step Solution

First, simplify the right side of the equation:
124=8 12 - 4 = 8
Hence, the equation becomes 5x=8 5 - x = 8 .
Subtract 5 from both sides to isolate x x :
5x5=85 5 - x - 5 = 8 - 5
This simplifies to:
x=3 -x=3
Divide by -1 to solve for x x :
x=3 x=-3
Therefore, the solution is x=3 x=-3 .

Answer

-3

Exercise #5

Solve for X:

7x=155 7 - x = 15 - 5

Step-by-Step Solution

First, simplify the right side of the equation:
155=10 15 - 5 = 10
Hence, the equation becomes 7x=10 7 - x = 10 .
Subtract 7 from both sides to isolate x x :
7x7=107 7 - x - 7 = 10 - 7
This simplifies to:
x=3 -x=3
Divide by -1 to solve forx x :
x=3 x=-3
Therefore, the solution is x=3 x=-3 .

Answer

-3

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