Question 115·Easy·Linear Equations in One Variable
What is the value of that satisfies the equation?
For one-variable linear equations like this, isolate the variable by reversing the order of operations: first undo any addition or subtraction, then undo multiplication or division, always doing the same operation to both sides. Keep the equation balanced at each step, and if unsure, quickly check your answer by plugging it back into the original equation to confirm it makes both sides equal.
Hints
Isolate the term first
In the equation , think about how to get rid of the so that is by itself on the left side.
Use opposite operations
What operation is the opposite of subtracting 7? Apply that operation to both sides of the equation.
Then undo the multiplication
Once you have an equation of the form , what operation will isolate ?
Desmos Guide
Enter both sides as functions
In Desmos, type y = 5x - 7 on one line and y = 3 on another line so you can see both graphs.
Find the intersection
Look for the point where the two lines intersect and tap/click that point; the x-coordinate of this intersection is the solution to the equation .
Step-by-step Explanation
Undo the subtraction
Start with the equation:
To isolate the term with , undo the by adding 7 to both sides:
This simplifies to:
Solve for
Now you have:
Undo the multiplication by 5 by dividing both sides by 5:
So the value of that satisfies the equation is .