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How to Solve Equations With Multiplication

Simple linear equations contain only one variable and numbers. The purpose of such equations are to use algebra to move the numbers away from the variable until the variable is isolated on one side of the equation. This provides an answer for the variable, which was previously unknown. The solution process involves applying the opposite algebraic operations to numbers to shift them to the other side of the equation. The opposite of addition is subtraction and the opposite of multiplication is division.

Instructions

- 1
  Solve an equation by first moving any numbers that can switch sides using simple subtraction or addition. Find the answer by dividing the coefficient away from the variable, or, if the coefficient is a fraction, multiplying both sides by a number that could cancel the fraction out.
- 2
  Solve the equation (1/2)x + 6 = 12. Subtract 6 from both sides to begin isolating the variable: (1/2)x + 6 - 6 = 12 - 6 becomes (1/2)x = 6.
- 3
  Eliminate the number attached to the variable: (1/2)x. Note that this number would normally be divided by both sides but because it is a fraction, the number 2 can be multiplied to both sides to cancel it out. Multiply both sides by 2: 2 * (1/2)x = 6 * 2 becomes x = 12.
- 4
  Check the answer by plugging it back into the original equation: (1/2) * 12 + 6 = 12 becomes (12/2) + 6 = 6 + 6 = 12.

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