Algebra: Chapter 3-3
Using the Properties Together
You can solve these equations in a variety of ways. Remember the objective is to ISOLATE the variable on one side. You can add, subtract, multiply or divide the same thing on both sides of the equation. But, it is USUALLY easier if you add and subtract the constants and then multiply or divide by the coefficient (next to the variable) to isolate the variable.
You should also solve equations with parenthesis using the distributive property and if there are like terms on one side of the equation, collect those first.
Practice makes perfect and be sure to SHOW ALL THE STEPS! Purplemath has some examples here about these multi-step equations.
Intro: Chapter 2-3
Addition of Rational Numbers
RULE 1: Adding 2 positive or 2 negative numbers
- Add the absolute values. The sum has the same sign as the 2 numbers.
RULE 2: Adding a positive and a negative number
- Subract the absolute values. The sum has the sign of the number with the bigger sign!
Here is a link from Purplemath with some more examples.