Home » Math Theory » Solving Simple Equations (1 of 3)

Note: this page contains legacy resources that are no longer supported. You are free to continue using these materials but we can only support our current worksheets, available as part of our membership offering.

# Solving Simple Equations (1 of 3)

We can solve equations with letters by getting rid of whatever is next to the letter on the left side of the equal sign so that the letter is on it’s own.

But we can’t just get rid of what’s on the left without doing the same thing to what’s on the right of the equal sign.

“Doing the same to both sides” of the equal sign is the key to solving equations,

### “Doing The Same To Both Sides”

The examples below illustrate the very important concept of “doing the same to both sides” of an equation.

It’s quite straightforward. Let’s do the same thing to both sides with some more apples.

If two things are equal and you do exactly the same thing to both things, they will still be equal.

### Examples of solving equations by subtracting from both sides

Here are more examples – this time with no apples!

Discuss with your children the concept of “doing the same thing to both sides.” Use examples from real life.
e.g. “If you and your brother both had $10 you would have equal amounts. Correct? If I gave you both and additional$2, how much would you both have? Would it still be equal?”

### Recap

We can use the following steps to solve many equations:

### Examples of solving equations by adding to both sides

We’ve seen how to “get rid of” of positive numbers on the left by subtracting them from both sides of the equation. In the examples below we’ll see how to “get rid” of negative values by adding to both sides.

You can practice solving equations like the examples on this page by using the four worksheets below

You’ll find a listing of these and more solving equations worksheets here.