See explanation below
Step-by-step explanation:
Example of an expression:
20-4x = 3x + 6
To solve this expression, the first thing we do is collect like terms:
from the above, we have numbers and we have variable (numbers attached to alphabet)
3x + 4x is the same as adding 3 + 4 = 7. This is because they have the same variable (x)
20 - 6 = 3x + 4x
we simplify:
14 = 7x
Divide both sides by the coefficient of x:
The coefficient of x = 7
14/7 = 7x/7
2 = x
x = 7
Another example: 4 + 5x = 44 + 7x
collect like terms:
4 - 44 = 7x - 5x
-40 = 2x
Divide both sides by the coefficient of x:
The coefficient of x = 2
-40/2 = 2x/2
-20 = x
x = -20