Distributive Property
3(x + 5)
3x + 15
2(x) = 14
Divide both sides by 2
x = 7
2x + 3 = 11
2x = 8
x = 4
2x + 3 = x + 7
x = 4
Distributive Property
Multiply a term outside parentheses by each term inside.
4(2y - 1)
8y - 4
x - 8 = 15
x = 23
3(x - 2) = 2(x + 1)
Distribute: 3x - 6 = 2x + 2
- Subtract 2x: x - 6 = 2
- Add 6: x = 8
5y - 4 = 3y + 10
y = 7
Coefficient
The number multiplied by a variable.
2(3a + 7)
-6a - 14
3x = 18
x = 6
4(x + 1) = 20
x = 4
7x + 2 = 3x + 18
x = 4
Like Terms
Terms with the same variable raised to the same power.
1/2(10x - 6)
5x - 3
x/5 = 9
x = 45
6x - 5 = 19
6x = 24
x = 4
6x - 5 = 4x + 11
x = 8
Equation
A mathematical statement with an equals sign.
-3(2x - 4y + 5)
-6x + 12y - 15
-2x = 10
x = -5
2(x + 5) = 4(x + 1)
Distribute: 2x + 10 = 4x + 4
- Subtract 2x: 10 = 2x + 4
- Subtract 4: 6 = 2x
- Divide by 2: x = 3
8n + 7 = 3n + 27
n = 4
Inverse Operations
Opposite operations that undo each other.