4x + 2 = 10
There are two terms on the left, +4x and +2,
and 1 term on the right, +10.
The 4x term contains a variable and is on the left
The +2 term does not contain a variable and is
on the left
The 10 term does not contain a variable and is
on the right.
The idea is to
1. Get rid of any term on the left that DOES NOT contain
a variable.
2. Get rid of any term on the right that DOES contain
a variable.
To get rid of a term, add its oppose to both sides:
We only need to get rid of the +2 term of
4x + 2 = 10
We do that by adding -2 to both sides
4x + 2 = 10
-2 -2
-----------
4x + 0 = 8
4x = 8
Now we must get rid of the coefficient 4. To
get rid of a coefficient, divide both sides
by it:
4x 8
---- = ---
4 4
Cancel the 4's on the left and the 4 into the
8 on the right:
1 2
4x 8
---- = ---
4 4
1 1
x = 2
To check:
4x + 2 = 10
substitute (2) for x:
4(2) + 2 = 10
8 + 2 = 10
10 = 10
That has the same number on both sides, so the
answer, x = 2, is right.
Edwin
