Solving 1 Step Algebraic Equations

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn how to solve 1 Step Algebraic Equations. In our previous lesson, we learned the difference between an expression and an equation. Let's review the term Equation before we get started:

Key Term

• EQUATION shows that TWO Expressions are equal using an '=' sign

Solving Equations

Let's say that we have the following equation:

4x = 16

In order to solve this 1 step equation, we need to apply the same 'reverse operation' on both sides.

4x is the same thing as 4 multiplied by x. The reverse of multiplication is division, so if we divide 4 by 4, we are left with 1 or 1x. Remember that 1x can also be written as x because it is the same thing as a single x, right?!

Now, since we divided by 4 on the left side of the equation, we must do the exact same thing to the right side of the equation. 16 divided by 4 is equal to 4.

That means that 4x = 16
                            x = 4

Check your Answer!

In order to make sure that our answer is correct, we can always replace the variable with the answer and try it out!

4x = 16
x = 4
4 x 4 = 16