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Grade 6 Math · Expressions & Equations

Equations and inequalities

Use this for “Solve x + 7 = 12.”

Diagram

Total (q): 12x = 5p = 7Unknown number (x)Number added (p)
5 + 7 = 12
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
x
+
p
=
q

Formulas

x
+
p
=
q
(unknown
number
+
number
added
=
total)
5 + 7 = 12

Assumptions

•
Do the same to both sides, and the two sides stay equal.
•
Subtracting undoes adding.
•
Check by putting the answer back in.

Step-by-step

WE KNOW
p = 7 (number added), q = 12 (total)
FIND
unknown number (x)
Step 1 · Find unknown number (x)
Use x + p = q (unknown number + number added = total)
Subtract
7
from
both
sides:
it
keeps
the
balance
and
leaves
x
alone.
x
+
7
=
12
x
+
7
−
7
=
12
−
7
x
=
5
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
5 + 7 = 12 ✓
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