Final answer:
To solve an equation in one variable, identify the unknown, list the knowns, choose an appropriate equation, solve for the unknown, plug in known values, and check the solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve an equation in one variable, follow these general steps:
- Identify the unknown. This is the variable you are trying to solve for.
- Identify the knowns. List all the values that are given in the problem.
- Choose an appropriate equation that models the problem. If the equation contains only one unknown, you can solve it directly. If it contains more than one unknown, additional equations will be needed.
- Solve the equation for the unknown. This may involve simplifying the equation, isolating the variable, and performing arithmetic operations.
- Plug in the known values into the equation and solve for the unknown.
- Finally, check your answer to ensure it makes sense in the context of the problem.
It's important to work carefully through each step and recheck your work to avoid errors.