From the course: Learning Algebra: Solving Equations

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Solving subtraction equations by subtracting a positive number

Solving subtraction equations by subtracting a positive number

From the course: Learning Algebra: Solving Equations

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Solving subtraction equations by subtracting a positive number

- In this next chapter, we're going to begin solving one step subtraction equations. As we begin solving these equations, I want you to remember the steps that we talked about for solving equations. All four of these steps apply to the subtraction equations. Don't forget to isolate your variable. Use opposite operations. Use our golden rule, whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other side. And always check your answer. Our first subtraction equation, we're going to solve for x. And the problem is x-20=40. For this equation, we need to get the variable, x by itself on the left hand side. That means that we need to get rid of the -20. So here we need to bring down x-20 and think about what we need to do to get rid of this -20. We know that the opposite of subtraction is addition so I'm going to add 20 to both sides of the equation. So now I have x-20+20=40 and then I have to add 20 to the right hand side as well. On the left hand side, I know that -20+20 is…

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