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Exercises Equations and inequalities

Example 8.2 from Prealgebra, 8.1 Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality

Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 8.2

Solve: $x + 11 = −3 .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Solution
To isolate $x,$ we undo the addition of $11$ by using the Subtraction Property of Equality.

Subtract 11 from each side to "undo" the addition.

Simplify.

Check:

Substitute $x = −14$ .

Since $x = −14$ makes $x + 11 = −3$ a true statement, we know that it is a solution to the equation.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Solve: $x + 9 = −7 .$

How did it go?

PreviousSolve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 8.1 Next Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 8.3

From Prealgebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 8.1, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.