Linear equations

A linear equation has one solution: the single value that makes both sides balance.

• Do the same operation to both sides to keep the balance.
• Remove fractions early by multiplying every term by the LCD.
• Expand brackets, collect like terms, then isolate the variable.
• Always substitute your answer back to check.

• Solution / root — the value that satisfies the equation.
• Like terms — terms with identical variable parts.