When working to get the variable isolated and all alone, use the opposites rule. Opposites Rule – to get rid of a term from either side of an equation, just do the opposite operation.
To ISOLATE a variable, simply add or subtract to get the variable all alone. To get rid of a term that is……. . …connected to its side by addition, subtract it from both sides. To get rid of a term that is……. . …connected to its side by subtraction, add it to both sides.
Variable Mark the variable then leave it alone. Move everything away from the variable. C = 2 Variable 1. C + 3 = 5 -3 -3 2. m - 3 = 5 +3 +3 m = 8
“fix” double signs first 3. P + (-12) = -5 P – 12 = -5 +12 P =7 “fix” double signs first 4. Y - (-6) = 3 Y+6=3 - 6 -6 Y = -3
5. X + 2. 2 = 9. 2 - 2. 2 X =7 6. X – (-28) = - 48 X + 28 = - 48 - 28 X = - 76
Once you have isolated the variable, you are ready to SOLVE. Multiply or Divide to solve for the variable. To get rid of a term that is……… … connected by multiplication, divide both sides by the number in front of the variable. … connected by division, multiply both sides by the number in front of the variable. (the denominator)
7. 9 x = 45 9 9 x =5 8. - 4 m = - 28 -4 -4 m=7 This reads 9 times x So use the opposite. Divide both sides by 9.
(8) 9. (8) n o i is v i d e s a u s i , n s m i o e i h l t T rob ica P tipl t. i e l Mu solv to Now Divide By -1 - k = 48 -1 -1 k = - 48 (-5) 10. 55 = x (-5)
11. Th 36 = 4 m 4 4 9 = m is i sa Mu div l isio tip Ac tua ly t np o lly r cro solv oble ss- e it m, . mu ltip ly. (3) 12. 2 n = 36 2 2 n = 18
+ 13. First, change this to an improper fraction. x (4) -5 x = (4) -20 x = 11 -20 -11 X = 20 (5) 14. -250 = -3 y -3 -3 83. 333 = y