1. Coach Baker 7th Grade Math
Linear Equations
(solving for x)

2. Linear Equations
“A linear equations is a polynomial of degree 1” ("Solving linear equations")
“In order to solve for the unknown variable, you must first isolate the variable.” ("Solving linear equations")
“In the order of operations, multiplication and division are completed before addition and subtraction.” ("Solving linear equations")

3. Simple Linear Equations
x + 3 = 10
Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation.
That leaves us with:
x = 7
x – 5 = 4
Add 5 to both sides!
The answer is:
x = 9
Lets try solving for “x” in these simple linear equations.
Remember to isolate the variable first!

4. More Complex Linear Equations
2x = 4
Now isolate the variable, or get “x” by itself. To do this, we will divide both sides of the equation by 2.
2x = 4
We are left with: x=2
These equations are a little more complex!
Lets solve for “x”

5. Check your answers!
When you find your answer, always go back and check to see if it works in the original equation.
In the last problem, 2x+16=20, we got x=2 for our answer.
To check if it is correct, we will plug in the 2 everywhere there is an “x” in the original equation.
2(2)+16=20
Using order of operations, we multiply 2 times 2 to get 4. We then add 4 plus 16 and that equals 20. So now we know that our answer is correct!

6. Solving Linear Equations (video) (x on both sides)

7. Practice!!
x-12= x+5=7
x+10= x-2=2
x+5=3x x-8=2x+8

8. Answers
1. x= x=2
3. x= x=4
5. x= x=8

9. Interactive Practice
Use the link below to access more practice problems online from IXL Learning. This will give students the ability to practice linear equations and it will explain how to correctly solve the problem if the answer is incorrect.
Print results and bring them to class for extra credit!!
linear-equations

10. References
Solving linear equations. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2015, from
Practicing Eighth grade math: 'Solve two-step linear equations' (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from
How to Solve Linear Equations With Variables on Both Sides : Linear Algebra Education. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from