Solving Equations by Adding or Subtracting the Same Number from Both Sides

๐Ÿ†Practice solving equations by using addition/ subtraction

This method allows us to add or subtract the same element from both sides of the equation without changing the final result, that is, the outcome of the equation will not be affected by the fact that we have added or subtracted the same element from both sides.

Solving Equations by Adding or Subtracting the Same Number from Both Sides

Let's see what the logic of this method is:

Josรฉ and Isabel, for example, are twin siblings who receive their weekly allowance for the first time.

Josรฉ and Isabel receive 10 10 euros each, so at this moment they have exactly 10 10 euros per person.

After a month, each has received another 2 2 euros, so now each has 12 12 euros.

We see that adding 2 2 euros to the amount each of them had has not affected the equivalence between them: both still have the same amount of money.

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Test yourself on solving equations by using addition/ subtraction!

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Solve for X:

\( x+3=5 \)

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Below, we provide you with some examples where we apply this method.

Example 1

X+5+2=3 X+5+2=3

If we are asked what the value of the expression X+5 X+5 is, we can leave it on the left side of the equation if we subtract the number 2 2 from both sides.

X+5+2=3 X+5+2=3 ย  / โˆ’2 -2

X+5=1 X+5=1

Here we see that the expression X+5 X+5 is equivalent to 1 1 .


Example 2

X+7โˆ’4=10 X+7-4=10

If we are asked what the value of the expression X+7 X+7 is, we can leave it on the left side of the equation if we add the number 4 4 to both sides of the equation.

X+7โˆ’4=10 X+7-4=10 / +4 +4

X+7=14 X+7=14

Here we see that the expression X+7 X+7 is equivalent to 14 14 .



Examples and exercises with solutions for solving equations by adding or subtracting the same number from both sides

Exercise #1

Solve for X:

x+3=5 x+3=5

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation x+3=5 x + 3 = 5 , we will follow these steps:

  • Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation to isolate x x .
  • On the left, x+3โˆ’3=x x + 3 - 3 = x remains.
  • On the right, 5โˆ’3=2 5 - 3 = 2 .
  • This gives us the equation: x=2 x = 2 .

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

Answer

2 2

Exercise #2

Solve for X:

3โˆ’x=1 3-x=1

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation 3โˆ’x=13 - x = 1, we will isolate the variable xx.

  • Step 1: Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation.
    3โˆ’xโˆ’3=1โˆ’3 3 - x - 3 = 1 - 3

  • Step 2: Simplify the expression.
    โˆ’x=โˆ’2 -x = -2

  • Step 3: Multiply both sides by โˆ’1-1 to solve for xx.
    x=2 x = 2

Thus, the solution to the equation is x=2 x = 2.

Answer

2 2

Exercise #3

Find the value of the parameter X:

x+5=8 x+5=8

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation x+5=8x + 5 = 8, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Start with the original equation:
    x+5=8x + 5 = 8.
  • Step 2: Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation to isolate xx:
    x+5โˆ’5=8โˆ’5x + 5 - 5 = 8 - 5.
  • Step 3: Simplify both sides:
    x=3x = 3.

Therefore, the solution to the equation is x=3x = 3.

The correct answer choice is: :

3

Answer

3

Exercise #4

Solve for X:

3+x=4 3+x=4

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we will follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given equation 3+x=4 3 + x = 4 .
  • Step 2: Use subtraction to isolate the variable x x .

Now, let's work through these steps:
Step 1: We have the equation: 3+x=4 3 + x = 4 .
Step 2: Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation to isolate x x :

3+xโˆ’3=4โˆ’3 3 + x - 3 = 4 - 3

This simplifies to:

x=1 x = 1

Therefore, the solution to the equation is x=1 x = 1 .

Answer

1

Exercise #5

Solve for X:

5โˆ’x=4 5-x=4

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation 5โˆ’x=45 - x = 4, we aim to isolate xx on one side of the equation.

We start by considering the equation:
5โˆ’x=45 - x = 4

Step 1: Eliminate 5 from the left side to isolate terms involving xx. To do this, subtract 5 from both sides of the equation:

(5โˆ’x)โˆ’5=4โˆ’5(5 - x) - 5 = 4 - 5

Step 2: Simplify both sides:

โˆ’x=โˆ’1-x = -1

Step 3: To solve for xx, multiply or divide both sides by โˆ’1-1 to change the sign of xx:

โˆ’1โ‹…โˆ’x=โˆ’1โ‹…โˆ’1-1 \cdot -x = -1 \cdot -1

This simplifies to:

x=1x = 1

Therefore, the solution to the equation 5โˆ’x=45 - x = 4 is x=1x = 1.

The correct answer is x=1x = 1.

Answer

1

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