When you solve an equation, you use reasoning to select properties of equality that produce simpler equivalent equations until you find a solution. The steps below provide a general guideline for solving equations.

Practice and Problem-Solving Exercises

A Practice

See Problem 1.

Solve each equation. Check your answer.

10. 5 x − 1 = x + 15 5 x minus 1 equals x plus 15
11. 4 p + 2 = 3 p − 7 4 p plus 2 equals 3 p minus 7
12. 6 m − 2 = 2 m + 6 6 m minus 2 equals 2 m plus 6
13. 3 + 5q = 9 + 4q
14. 8 − 2 y = 3 y − 2 8 minus 2 y equals 3 y minus 2
15. 3 n − 5 = 7 n + 11 3 n minus 5 equals 7 n plus 11
16. 2 b + 4 = − 18 − 9 b 2 b plus 4 equals negative 18 minus 9 b
17. − 3 c − 12 = − 5 + c negative 3 c minus 12 equals negative 5 plus c
18. − n − 24 = 5 − n negative n minus 24 equals 5 minus n

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