Now you’re ready to move on to equations with the variable on both sides!

This activity might not be viewable on your mobile device.Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Click the image below to open a new applet.

Click the piece of paper until you get an equation with variables on both sides. Then, use the algebra tiles to build the model and solve the equation.

Video segment. Assistance may be required. Watch this video to see you how you can do this symbolically, without using algebra tiles.

Source: Distributive property to simplify, Khan Academy

Now, try a few on your own.

Solve each of the equations below for x.

  1. 25 – 8.6x = 50.5

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    Check Your Answer

    Subtract 25 from both sides, divide by -8.6, x=-3 Close Pop Up

  2. -3x + 6 = 30

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    Check Your Answer

    Subtract 6 from both sides, divide by -3, x=-8 Close Pop Up

  3. -3x + 1 = -4x + 8 (7)

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    Check Your Answer

    Add 4x to both sides, add -1 to both sides, x=-7 Close Pop Up