➕ Algebra 1 · Equations

Solving One-Step Equations practice questions

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Answer key with explanations

1. Solve x + 13 = 25.

   Answer: x = 12. Subtract 13 from both sides: x = 25 − 13 = 12. Check: 12 + 13 = 25.

2. Solve x − 16 = 9.

   Answer: x = 25. Add 16 to both sides: x = 9 + 16 = 25. Check: 25 − 16 = 9.

3. Solve x/7 = 4.

   Answer: x = 28. The x is divided by 7, so multiply both sides by 7: x = 4 × 7 = 28. Check: 28 ÷ 7 = 4.

4. Solve −6x = 72.

   Answer: x = −12. Divide both sides by −6: x = 72 ÷ (−6) = −12. A positive divided by a negative is negative. Check: −6 × (−12) = 72.

5. Solve (5/6)x = 20.

   Answer: x = 24. Multiply both sides by the reciprocal, 6/5: x = 20 × 6/5 = 24. Check: (5/6)(24) = 20. (Multiplying by 5/6 instead gives 50/3, which does not check.)

6. Solve −3 = x + 11.

   Answer: x = −14. Subtract 11 from both sides: −3 − 11 = x, so x = −14. Check: −14 + 11 = −3.

7. A jacket costs 6 dollars less than a pair of shoes. The jacket costs 24 dollars. How much do the shoes cost?

   Answer: 30 dollars. Let s be the price of the shoes. The jacket is 6 less than the shoes, so s − 6 = 24. Add 6 to both sides: s = 30. Check: 30 − 6 = 24.

8. Solve 0.3x = 12.

   Answer: x = 40. Divide both sides by 0.3: x = 12 ÷ 0.3 = 40. (Think of 0.3 as 3 tenths: 12 ÷ 0.3 = 120 ÷ 3 = 40.) Check: 0.3 × 40 = 12.

9. Omar pays the same fee every month for a phone plan. After 6 months he has paid 114 dollars in total. What is the monthly fee?

   Answer: 19 dollars. Let f be the monthly fee. Six months of fees is 6f = 114. Divide both sides by 6: f = 19. Check: 6 × 19 = 114.