Variables on both sides

Property To solve an equation with variables on both sides, use inverse operations to bring the variables together on one side of the equation.

Examples Solve $6x = 4x 10$ by subtracting $4x$ from both sides to get $2x = 10$, so $x = 5$. For $5x + 2 = 2x + 14$, subtract $2x$ from both sides to get $3x + 2 = 14$, then solve for $x=4$. For $3x 1 = x 3$, subtract $x$ from both sides to get $2x 1 = 3$, then solve for $x= 1$.

Explanation Think of it as a balancing act! Your goal is to get all the 'x' critters on one side and the numbers on the other. Use inverse operations to herd the variables together, isolate them, and discover their secret value. It's like being a variable wrangler corralling all of your terms!