two step equations

[patricialec]

How would I approach this problem 6=a divided by 4 +2 :shock:

 

[patricialec]

I pretty much figured this problem out but I have another.

9x -7 = -7

 

[Mrspi]

I pretty much figured this problem out but I have another.

9x -7 = -7

Usually, you want to "isolate" the term containing the variable. That is, get the term containing the variable by itself.

Add 7 to both sides of the equation, since 9x - 7 + 7 is just 9x, which gives you the variable term by itself on the left side of the equals sign:

9x - 7 + 7 = -7 + 7

Simplify the expressions on each side of the equals sign by combining like terms. Since +7 - 7 is 0, you have this:

9x + 0 = 0

or,

9x = 0

Now, to get just x on the left side of the equals sign, you need to "undo" the multiplication by 9. ( 9x means x times 9)

Divide both sides of the equation by 9 to undo the multiplication by 9:

9x/9 = 0/9

Simplify the expressions on each side of the equals sign, and you should get

x = 0

You can and SHOULD check your answer by substituting the value you got for x in the equation you started with.

If 9x - 7 = -7 is TRUE when you substitute 0 for x, you can be pretty certain you have the right answer.