let’s solve the equation: we shall use a scale to represent our equation. the variable x will be...

Let’s solve the equation:

We shall use a scale to represent our equation. The variable x will be replacedwith and the numbers will be represented with coins.

Click to go on

?

43 x

Here is our scale representation of our equation!

Click to go on

43 x

Our job is to solve for x. That is, try to get by itself!

Click to go on

?

43 x

We take 3 away from the left side first!

Click to see what will happen.

We take 3 away from the left side first!

The right side is now heavier. Click to go on.

To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right!

Let’s try taking 3 awayfrom the right side. Click to go on.

To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right!

Click to go on.

The balance is now level again.

Click to go on.The equation is then x = 1

Let’s solve another equation:

4 8x

We shall use a scale to represent our equation. The variable x will be replacedwith and the numbers will be represented with coins.

Click to go on

?

Here is our scale representation of our equation!

4 8x Click to go on

We take 4 away from the left side first!

Click to see what will happen.

We take 4 away from the left side first!

The right side is now heavier. Click to go on.

To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right!

Let’s try taking 4 awayfrom the right side. Click to go on.

To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right!

Click to go on.

The balance is now level again.

Click to go on.The equation is then x = 4

Let’s try one more!

7 4x

The variable is on the right side of the equation. Using our scale however, wesee that this has no baring on how we approach the problem.

Click to go on

Here is our scale representation of our equation!

7 4x Click to go on

We take 4 away from the right side first!

Click to see what will happen.

We take 4 away from the right side first!

The left side is now heavier. Click to go on.

To make it level again, we have to take out something from the left!

Let’s try taking 4 awayfrom the left side. Click to go on.

To make it level again, we have to take out something from the left!

Click to go on.

The balance is now level again.

Click to go on.The equation is then 3 = x

The End