Algebra: Linear Equations

Progress: 65%

Key Concept

A linear equation is an equation of the first degree, meaning it has no exponents higher than 1. The standard form is: ax + b = 0 where a and b are constants, and x is the variable.

Steps to Solve

  1. Remove parentheses by distributing
  2. Combine like terms on each side
  3. Move variable terms to one side and constants to the other
  4. Divide to isolate the variable

Examples

Example 1

Solve: 3x + 5 = 14

Solution: 3x = 9 → x = 3

Example 2

Solve: 2(x - 3) = 10

Solution: 2x - 6 = 10 → 2x = 16 → x = 8

Practice Problems

Solve for x: 5x - 7 = 18
x = 3
x = 4
x = 5
x = 6