Answer:
You simply do the inverse of the operation (the opposite) ex. The opposite of subtraction is addition and the opposite of multiplication is division. when you apply the inverse to each operation, you isolate the variable.
Explanation:
When you solve an equation, you find the value of the variable that makes the equation true. In order to solve the equation, you isolate the variable. Isolating the variable means rewriting an equivalent equation in which the variable is on one side of the equation and everything else is on the other side of the equation.
ex. x-6=8
you add six to both sides (canceling the 6 on left and adding 6 to the 8)
you then get x=14
but if your equation looks like this...
x-6(3)=18 (the parenthesis is the multiplication)
then you would divide by 3 on both sides getting
x-6=6
you then subtract six from both sides getting
x= 0