Solving Equations

Examples of equations containing an unknown, x:

4.2x + 5.65 = 0

-2x + 17 = 3x + 2

By solving an equation, we can determine the value of the unknown that satisfies the equation. But how does one solve an equation? Well, it depends on the equation. In general, you can perform the same operation on both sides of an equation to obtain a new equation which is simpler. Through a sequence of such steps, you can arrive at the solution.

1. Enter an equation that you wish to solve here and click on the start button:

    x +    =     Start

   And it is displayed here. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundredth.

2. You can solve an equation in a sequence of steps, by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing both sides with a number. The trick is to come up with the number and operation to perform in each step to obtain the final equation x = the answer.

   Enter a number and click a button and the operation will be applied to both sides of your equation:

                      

            

   
   

3. Now consider an equation where the unknown x appears on both sides of the equation. Make up an equation yourself:

    x +    =    x +     Start

   And it is displayed here. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundredth.

4. Enter a number or a multiple of x (for example 2 x and -4 x) and click a button and the operation will be applied to both sides of your equation:

                      

    x