How do you solve an equation with two of the same variable on the same side?

Answer 1

Let's look at and example: 4x + 8x = 48.

Since there is two of the same variable on the same side, we can add them together, as they are the same. So 8 + 4 = 12.

So it looks like this: 12x = 48

Now in order to work out the answer, we have to isolate the x on one side of the equation. The easiest way to do this is not to move the variable, but to move the number attached to it. In this case, it is the 12. In any case, if a number is attached to a variable, it means that the number attached, is meant to be multiplied by the variable.

12 multiplied by x = 48

Since we are moving the 12, we have to make it's sign opposite, since it is multiplying by the variable, to make it opposite we have to make it 12 dividing by.

x = 48 divided by 12.

48/12 = 4

x = 4.

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