Steps to Solve Simple Equations

One of the fundamental concepts in algebra is solving equations. It is essential to learn how to solve equations as they are the basis of more complex mathematical concepts. Here are the steps to solve simple equations:

Step 1: Identify the Variable
The first step in solving an equation is to identify the variable. The variable is the unknown value that we are trying to find. It is usually represented by a letter, such as x or y.

Step 2: Separate the Variable
To solve the equation, we need to isolate the variable on one side of the equation. To do this, we need to perform operations on both sides of the equation. The goal is to get the variable by itself on one side of the equation.

Step 3: Perform Inverse Operations
Inverse operations are operations that undo each other. For example, addition and subtraction are inverse operations, as are multiplication and division. To isolate the variable, we need to perform inverse operations on both sides of the equation.

Step 4: Simplify
Once we have isolated the variable, we need to simplify the equation by combining like terms and performing any necessary operations.

Step 5: Check Your Solution
Finally, we need to check our solution by substituting the value we found for the variable back into the original equation and making sure that it is true.

Example
Let's use the equation 3x + 5 = 14 as an example.

Step 1: Identify the Variable
The variable in this equation is x.

Step 2: Separate the Variable
We need to isolate x on one side of the equation. To do this, we can subtract 5 from both sides of the equation:
3x + 5 - 5 = 14 - 5
3x = 9

Step 3: Perform Inverse Operations
To isolate x, we need to divide both sides of the equation by 3:
3x/3 = 9/3
x = 3

Step 4: Simplify
Our solution is x = 3.

Step 5: Check Your Solution
Finally, we need to check our solution by substituting x = 3 back into the original equation:
3(3) + 5 = 14
9 + 5 = 14
14 = 14

Our solution is correct, and the equation is true.