How do I do algebra when there is an x on both sides?

If you are trying to work out what x is, then we need to end up with something that looks like: [x = ... ] On one side we have just 'x' and on the other side we have no 'x's. So x = 44 is already solved and so is x = 2y +3z +2.On the other hand, if it looks like 2x = x + 2 then we still have work to do. We can picture an equation as a set of old fashioned scales, both sides balanced around the equals sign (=). Everything on the left adds up to the same as everything on the right. If I add something to one side, I have to add the same amount to the other, or they will no longer be equal / 'balanced'. So to get to just x on one side we take away an x from both sides (maintaining the balance) and giving us, in this case, x = 2. We can work through more complex examples together

RB
Answered by Robbie B. Maths tutor

2232 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

This is a sequence: 2,4,7,11,16. Find the Nth term


Solve 3x+7=8


How do you factorise x^2 +5x+6?


Show that (2x^2 + x -15)/(2x^3 +6x^2) * 6x^3/(2x^2 - 11x + 15) simplifies to ax/(x + b) where a and b are integers


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences