Equations

0 / 0 correct

Solving Linear Equations

An equation is like a balance scale - both sides must be equal. To find x, we need to get x on its own by "undoing" the operations around it.

Key Points:

An equation has an equals sign (=) - both sides have the same value
To solve, we want to get the unknown (usually x) on its own
Use inverse operations to undo: + undoes -, × undoes ÷
Always do the same thing to BOTH sides to keep it balanced

Top Tips

  • Write each step on a new line - you get marks for working!
  • Check your answer by substituting back into the original equation
  • If you have brackets, expand them first

Worked Examples

1Step 1: We need to get x on its own
2Step 2: First, subtract 5 from both sides: 3x + 5 - 5 = 20 - 5
3Step 3: This gives us: 3x = 15
4Step 4: Now divide both sides by 3: 3x ÷ 3 = 15 ÷ 3
5Step 5: x = 5
6Check: 3(5) + 5 = 15 + 5 = 20 ✓
Answer: x = 5

🎬 Video Tutorials

Watch these videos from trusted GCSE educators like Maths Genie, GCSE Maths Tutor & Addvance Maths!

💡 Tip: If a video doesn't load, click "Open on YouTube" or search for the topic.

📹

Video loading...

Open on YouTube →

Forming & Solving Equations

⏱️ 14:22

GCSE Maths Tutor - Techniques for forming and solving equations (Higher & Foundation).

📹

Video loading...

Open on YouTube →

Solving Equations Simply

⏱️ 9:45

Addvance Maths - Step-by-step guide to solving linear equations.

📹

Video loading...

Open on YouTube →

Forming & Solving Equations Revision

⏱️ 11:30

Maths Genie - GCSE Maths revision tutorial with examples.

🔗 More videos: Visit Maths Genie, Corbett Maths, or BBC Bitesize for more free GCSE maths resources!

0 views
Rate this page:
Support Us

Rules to Follow

💡 Click on any rule to see more details!

Golden Rule

Whatever you do to one side, you MUST do to the ot...

Inverse Operations

+ and - are inverses. × and ÷ are inverses. Use th...

Order of Solving

1) Expand brackets first. 2) Collect like terms. 3...

Brackets

Multiply everything inside by the number outside. ...

Inequalities

Solve like equations BUT: if you multiply or divid...