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That depends on what kind of equation it is. If you can't solve "x = 42", then I'm really not sure that we can help you. Quadratics are more complicated, and cubic equations are more complicated than that. Then there are exponential and logarithmic equations.

Basically you need to tell us what kind of equation it is before we can give you better advice than "read a mathematics textbook."

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8y ago
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8y ago

For the simplest equations, you try to "isolate" the variable, meaning that you try to separate the variable from anything that is not the variable. You do this by carrying out THE SAME OPERATION ON BOTH SIDES of the equation.Here is an example:

x + 2 = 5

To have the "x" alone, you need to get rid of the 2 - so you subtract 2 on each side in this case. This gives you:

x + 2 - 2 = 5 - 2

or:

x + 0 = 3

or:

x = 3

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Q: How do you solve an equation with one variable?
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Can you solve for a variable in an expression or equation?

you can only solve for one in an equation so it can equal something


Can you solve a variable with an equation?

When an equation has a variable in it (only one), then there are only certainvalues the variable can have that will make the equation a true statement."Solving" the equation means finding those values for the variable.


What number when substituded for the variable in an equation makes the equation true?

you have to solve the actual equation in order to answer this about your variable


How do you use different techniques to solve linear equations?

1. Elimination: Select two equations and a variable to eliminate. Multiply each equation by the coefficient if that variable in the other equation. If the signs of the coefficient for that variable in the resulting equations are the same then subtract one new equation from the other. If they have opposite signs then add them. You will now have an equation without that variable. Repeat will other pairs and you will end up with one fewer equation and one fewer variable. Repeat this process: after each round you will have one fewer equation and one fewer variable. Keep going until you are left with one equation in one variable. Solve that. Then work backwards solving for the other variables.2. Substitution: Select a equation and a variable. Make that variable the subject of the equation. The right hand side of this equation is an expression for that variable. Substitute this expression for the variable is each of the other equations. Again, one fewer equation in one fewer variable. Continue until you are left with one equation in one variable. Solve that. Then work backwards solving for the other variables.3. Matrix inversion: If A is the nxn matrix of coefficients, X is the nx1 [column] matrix of variables and B is the nx1 matrix of the equation constants, then X = A^-1*B where A^-1 is the inverse of matrix A.


When using the substitution to solve nonlinear system of equations you should first see if you can one variable if you can one variable in one of the equation in the system?

The general idea is to solve one of the equations for one variable - in terms of the other variable or variables. Then you can substitute the entire expression into another equation or other equations; as a result, if it works you should end up having one less equation, with one less variable.

Related questions

Can you solve for a variable in an equation?

Sure. You can always 'solve for' a variable, and if it happens to be the only variable in the equation, than that's how you solve the equation.


Can you solve for a variable in an expression or equation?

you can only solve for one in an equation so it can equal something


Can you solve a variable with an equation?

When an equation has a variable in it (only one), then there are only certainvalues the variable can have that will make the equation a true statement."Solving" the equation means finding those values for the variable.


What is the math term VEST?

variable equation solve it test it


How does writing equivalent equations help you solve a system of equations?

You can write an equivalent equation from a selected equation in the system of equations to isolate a variable. You can then take that variable and substitute it into the other equations. Then you will have a system of equations with one less equation and one less variable and it will be simpler to solve.


What number when substituded for the variable in an equation makes the equation true?

you have to solve the actual equation in order to answer this about your variable


How do you use different techniques to solve linear equations?

1. Elimination: Select two equations and a variable to eliminate. Multiply each equation by the coefficient if that variable in the other equation. If the signs of the coefficient for that variable in the resulting equations are the same then subtract one new equation from the other. If they have opposite signs then add them. You will now have an equation without that variable. Repeat will other pairs and you will end up with one fewer equation and one fewer variable. Repeat this process: after each round you will have one fewer equation and one fewer variable. Keep going until you are left with one equation in one variable. Solve that. Then work backwards solving for the other variables.2. Substitution: Select a equation and a variable. Make that variable the subject of the equation. The right hand side of this equation is an expression for that variable. Substitute this expression for the variable is each of the other equations. Again, one fewer equation in one fewer variable. Continue until you are left with one equation in one variable. Solve that. Then work backwards solving for the other variables.3. Matrix inversion: If A is the nxn matrix of coefficients, X is the nx1 [column] matrix of variables and B is the nx1 matrix of the equation constants, then X = A^-1*B where A^-1 is the inverse of matrix A.


How doI solve system of equations by substitution?

Assuming the simplest case of two equations in two variable: solve one of the equations for one of the variables. Substitute the value found for the variable in all places in which the variable appears in the second equation. Solve the resulting equation. This will give you the value of one of the variables. Finally, replace this value in one of the original equations, and solve, to find the other variable.


When using the substitution to solve nonlinear system of equations you should first see if you can one variable if you can one variable in one of the equation in the system?

The general idea is to solve one of the equations for one variable - in terms of the other variable or variables. Then you can substitute the entire expression into another equation or other equations; as a result, if it works you should end up having one less equation, with one less variable.


How do you solve for the indicated variable?

Algebraically manipulate the equation until you have the indicated variable on one side of the equation and all of the other factors on the other side.


Can you solve for a variable in an expression?

No, you can only simplify an expression. To solve for a variable, it must be in an equation.


What is an equation with one or two variables?

When you solve a one-variable equation, your goal is to isolate the variable.To isolate the variable means to make it be alone on one side of the equals sign.In the equation shown here, you can isolate the variable by subtracting 9 from both sides of the equation and simplifying