Objective:
To use a technique to solve simple equations systematically.Vocabulary:
- WYDTOS, DITTO - What you do to one side, do it to the other.
- Isolate - Get it by itself (alone).
- Inverse operation - The opposite operation. (The operation that 'undoes' what has been done.)
Notes:
Picture a scale in balance. If you add 5 lbs to one side you must also add 5 lbs to the other side in order for it to stay balanced. Likewise, if you subtract 3 lbs from one side you must subtract 3 lbs from the other side to keep the balance. The same thing is true for equations.- What you do to one side, do it to the other. (WYDTOS, DITTO)
- When we solve equations we isolate the variable. (We get the variable by itself.)
- To isolate the variable we use inverse operations. (We do the opposite.)
- The inverse operation of addition is subtraction (addition undoes subtraction).
- The inverse operation of multiplication is division (multiplication undoes division).
Steps
- Simplify each side of the equation (if needed).
- Locate the term with the variable and circle it.
- Isolate the variable by using an inverse operation (do the opposite). Or if it has a fractional coefficient, multiply by the reciprocal.
- Remember, what you do to one side, do it to the other - WYDTOS, DITTO.
- Simplify and circle your answer.
Examples:
Solve each problem:
