➕ Algebra 1 · Equations
Solving One-Step Equations cheat sheet
Everything you need on one page. Print it, or switch on test-yourself mode to blur the answers and check your memory.
The recipe
- 1. Spot what is attached to the variable
- 2. Do the opposite to both sides
- 3. Check by substituting
Opposites
- + and − undo each other
- × and ÷ undo each other
- Fraction coefficient: multiply by the reciprocal
The four forms
- x + a = b: subtract a
- x − a = b: add a
- ax = b: divide by a
- x/a = b: multiply by a
Example
- x + 7 = 12
- x = 5 (subtract 7 from both sides)
- Check: 5 + 7 = 12
Watch out
- Both sides, every time
- Never multiply both sides by 0 or divide by 0
- −x = 12 means x = −12
Formulas
- Add form: x + a = b gives x = b − a
- Subtract form: x − a = b gives x = b + a
- Multiply form: ax = b gives x = b ÷ a (when a ≠ 0)
- Divide form: x/a = b gives x = a × b (when a ≠ 0)
- Fraction coefficient: (p/q)x = b gives x = b × (q/p) (when p ≠ 0 and q ≠ 0)
Solving One-Step Equations cheat sheet from HighSchoolQ.com, for personal study use.