Linear Equations – Variable on One Side – Non-Calculator – Demonstration

This resource provides animated demonstrations of the mathematical method.

Check animations and delete slides not needed for your class.
How heavy is one green box?

𝒙𝒙 8kg

2 𝑥 =8
𝑥=4
 Write an equation for each balance scale.
How can you solve the equation and find the value of ?

4 6
𝒙 7 𝒙 11

a) b)
𝑥+ 4=7 𝑥+ 6=11
𝑥=3 𝑥=5
𝒙
𝒙𝒙 6 𝒙𝒙 18

c) d)
2 𝑥=6 3 𝑥=18
𝑥=3 𝑥=6
DEMO Solving 1-Step Linear Equations
Solve:

To solve an equation:
𝑥+ 5= 9
−5 −5
We want by itself.

𝑥 ¿ 4 If we add, subtract,
multiply or divide
on one side of an equation,
we must balance the equation
by doing the same on
How can we check?
the opposite side.

4+5=¿ 9
DEMO Solving 1-Step Linear Equations YOUR TURN
Solve: Solve:

𝑥+ 8=14 𝑥+ 6=11
−8 −8 −6 −6

𝑥 ¿6 𝑥 ¿5

How can we check? How can we check?

6 +8=¿ 1 4 5+ 6=¿ 1 1
DEMO Solving 1-Step Linear Equations YOUR TURN
Solve: Solve:

𝑥+ 8=14 𝑥+ 8=15
−8 −8 −8 −8

𝑥 ¿6 𝑥 ¿7

How can we check? How can we check?

6 +8=¿ 1 4 7+ 8=¿ 1 5
DEMO Solving 1-Step Linear Equations YOUR TURN
Solve: Solve:

𝑥 −5=11 𝑥 − 4=3
+5 +5 +4 +4

𝑥 ¿ 16 𝑥 ¿7

How can we check? How can we check?

16 −5=¿ 11 7 − 4=¿ 3
DEMO Solving 1-Step Linear Equations YOUR TURN
Solve: Solve:

𝑥 −5=11 𝑥 − 9=6
+5 +5 +9 +9

𝑥 ¿ 16 𝑥 ¿ 15

How can we check? How can we check?

16 −5=¿ 11 15 − 9=¿ 6
DEMO Solving 1-Step Linear Equations YOUR TURN
Solve: Solve:

3 𝑥=12 2 𝑥=16
÷3 ÷3 ÷2 ÷2

𝑥 ¿ 4 𝑥 ¿8

How can we check? How can we check?

3 × 4=¿ 1 2 2 ×8=¿ 1 6
DEMO Solving 1-Step Linear Equations YOUR TURN
Solve: Solve:

3 𝑥=12 4 𝑥=20
÷3 ÷3 ÷4 ÷4

𝑥 ¿ 4 𝑥 ¿5

How can we check? How can we check?

3 × 4=¿ 1 2 4 ×5=¿ 2 0
Instead of we can use any letter to represent the unknown variable.
Solve each equation to find the value of each letter.

1) 2) 3)
𝑎=4 𝑏=9 𝑐=5

4) 5) 6)
𝑑=14 𝑒=6 𝑓 =3

7) 8) 9)

𝑔=8 h=25 𝑘=9

Instead of we can use any letter to represent the unknown variable.
Solve each equation to find the value of each letter.

1) 2) 3)
7=𝑎 6=𝑏 9=𝑐

6)
4) 5)
𝑑=5 3=𝑒 24= 𝑓

7) 8) 9)
𝑔=4 8= h 𝑘=35