Solving One-Step Equations

Because subtraction can be considered “adding a negative,” the Addition Property of Equality also works if you need to subtract the same value from each side of an equation.

Example A	Example B
Solve for : .	Solve
Solution When asked to solve for , your goal is to write an equivalent equation with the variable isolated on one side. Write the original equation: . Apply the Addition Property of Equality: . Simplify by adding like terms: . The solution is .	Solution Apply the Addition Property of Equality: The solution is

Equations that take one step to isolate the variable are called one-step equations. Such equations can also involve multiplication or division.