A Question of Balance

The two sides on a balanced scale

must be equal to each other

E + 6 = 11
E = 5
What does the Egg weigh?
 A Question of Balance
The two sides of an equation are equal to each other
The left side and the right side must be balanced

2(3) + 4 10

When you do something to one side of an equation,

You have to do the same thing to the other side.
 A Question of Balance
If the two sides of an equation are not equal…

3(7) – 2 20 + 1
 A Question of Balance
If the two sides of an equation are not equal…
Then it is not balanced!

3(7) – 2
20 + 1
 A Question of Balance
What happens if we change one of the sides of a
balanced equation?

8 +8 3+ +3
+1 11

Then it is not balanced!

 A Question of Balance
What happens if we change one of the sides of a
balanced equation?

+1
11
8+3+1

We need to make
Thentheit same
is notchange to the other side!
balanced!
 A Question of Balance
What happens if we change one of the sides of a
balanced equation?

8+3+1 11 + 1

th Commandment (for equations):

The 11We need to make the same change to the other side!
Whatever thou dost unto the left, thou also must do unto the right.
 To solve an equation means to find every
number that makes the equation true.

We do this by adding or
subtracting to each side of the
equation … but always
keep it balanced!
In the equation, x  7  15
7 added to a number gives 15…
Solving the equation means, finding
the value of the variable that makes
the equation true.

Let’s go back to the balance

The 11th Commandment (for equations):
Whatever thou dost unto the left, thou also must do unto the right.

x + -77 15- 7

Subtract
Simplify 7both
fromsides
both sides
 The 11th Commandment (for equations):
Whatever thou dost unto the left, thou also must do unto the right.

x 8

Subtract 7 from both sides

Now weSimplify both
know the sidesof x
value
 The 11th Commandment (for equations):
Whatever thou dost unto the left, thou also must do unto the right.

x 8
So the solution
x + 7 goes
= 15like this…
x+
Subtract 7 from 7 –sides
both 7 = – 7 both sides
15Simplify
x the
Now we know = 8value of x
In some equations, the solution is obvious.
x – 7 = 12 5n = 35
x = 19 n=7
c
20 + h = 41 =3
8
h = 21 c = 24
We can simply work the operation
backwards in our head to get the answer.
 But in other equations, the solution
is not so obvious.

x  127  93 w  3.2  1.08

2 3
p 1.2m  45
5 4
We have to know what operation(s) must be
done to solve it, and work it out carefully.
 You have
But in to do the
other inverse operation
equations, to both
the solution
sides toisget
notthesovariable
obvious.by itself
x  127  -93 w  3.2  1.08
x 127 127  -93 127 w  3.2  3.2  1.08  3.2
The opposite of
is 
addition x -220
subtraction w  4.28
The opposite of
subtraction is addition
2 3
p
5 4 1.2m  45
5 2 5 3 1.2m 45
 p  
2 5 2 4 1 .2 1 .2
The opposite of
15 2
p  by 5
multiplying m  3.75
The opposite of
multiplication is division
8
is multiplying by 5
2
 Multi-step equations
When and equation has more than one
operation you still have to isolate the variable
by doing the following:
•Make sure variable terms are all on one side,
and constant terms are on the other.
•Simplify
•Divide by the coefficient of the variable.
How would we solve 3x + 5 = 12?
Let’s take another look at the balance

3x + –5 5 –5
12
Subtract 5 from both sides
How would we solve 3x + 5 = 12?
Let’s take another look at the balance

3x 7
Subtract 5 from both sides
Simplify
How would we solve 3x + 5 = 12?
Let’s take another look at the balance

3x 7
3 3
Subtract 5 from both sides
Simplify
Divide both sides by
coefficient of the variable (3)
How would we solve 3x + 5 = 12?
Let’s take another look at the balance

7
x 3
Subtract 5 from both sides
Simplify
SoDivide
the solution is: x 
both sides by 37
coefficient of the variable (3)
 Let’s try some more equations
Remember, we have to keep the equations balanced!
Solve:
8m – 10 = 36 w  17  31
6
8m – 10 + 10 = 36 + 10 w  17  17  31  17
6
8m = 46 w  14
8 8 6
m= 23 6  w  6  14
4 6
w = 84
 Notice that there are
Solve: 5x  2 = x + 4 variables on both sides

5x  2 + 2 = x + 4 + 2 Get rid of the -2

on the left side
5x = x + 6 Simplify

5x – x = x – x + 6 Get rid of the x

on the right side
4x = 6 Simplify
Get rid of the
4 4 cofficient of x

x=3 Simplify
2