Question 22990
Are you solving equations like 3x+4= 34 ?


If this is what you are asking, begin with the x, and you can see that because there is no sign between the 3 and the x, that this is multiplication of 3 times x.  Next, there is a plus 4, which means addition.  Now, in order to solve for x, you must UNDO these operations in reverse order.  This means that you must UNDO addition of +4.  You can UNDO +4 by subtracting 4 from each side:
3x +4 - 4 = 34-4
3x = 30


Next, you must UNDO multiplication by 3.  This is done by dividing both sides by 3:
{{{3x/3 = 30/3}}}
{{{x=10}}}


I'm not sure if this is your question.  If it is, then please see my lesson plan called "Basic Equation Solving" in the Equations topic of algebra.com.  If not, try again.


R^2 at SCC