You already know how to solve equations like these:

Use inverse operations to isolate the variable.

Use inverse operations to isolate the variable.

But most linear equations are slightly more complicated.

In mathematics, the goal is often to change something we don’t know how to do...

... into something we already know how to do.

You can solve this equation.

You can solve this equation.

Given a linear equation in the form,

your first step will be to isolate the variable term.

first! In other words, do the addition or subtraction

In other words, do the addition or subtraction first!

Now you have changed the equation to one you can easily solve.

As you solve these, you just need to remember one thing.

Do the addition or subtraction first!