How Do You Solve Math Problems With A Variable?
One of the most important math concepts that middle school students will need to master is learning how to solve an equation that has a variable in it. A variable is a letter, usually the letter x or n, that represents an unknown number in an equation. The goal of solving the equation is to figure out what number the variable should be. While all of these equations are different, you will follow the same basic steps to solve them. Copy the equation exactly as it appears in the book onto your paper. For this example, use 3x + 5 = 39 + 2. Simplify anything that can be simplified. In this equation, 39 + 2 should be added together. This gives you 3x + 5 = 41. Identify the terms. Terms are the letter and number combinations that are separated by addition, subtraction or equal signs. In this example, the terms are 3x, 5 and 41. Isolate the term that contains the variable. To eliminate the 5, you have to do the opposite operation than the one that is being done in the equation. In 3x + 5 = 41
