Terms and Numbers Mixed

Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Math journey. Lesson 24 of 64.

4x + 3 - 2x = 11: the x-terms are separated by a number. Order does not matter in a sum, so gather what is alike: 4x - 2x is 2x, and the 3 stays.

2x + 3 = 11

Now it is an ordinary two-step equation: subtract 3, divide by 2, x = 4. Check: 4 × 4 + 3 - 2 × 4 = 16 + 3 - 8 = 11.

Keep the sign with its term when you gather: the second x-term here is -2x, not 2x. If a side has several plain numbers, they collect too: x + 5 - 2 is x + 3. The rule of thumb: tidy until each side has at most one x-term and one number, then undo.

Challenge

Solve the equation 6x + 5 - 2x = 25 for x.

Try it yourself

6x + 5 - 2x = 25

Solve for x

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Fundamentals

1What an Equation Is

The Equation Finding the Unknown The Same to Both Sides Solved Means Alone Recap: First Equations

4Two-Step Equations

Two Layers to Undo Subtract, Then Divide Add, Then Divide A Division Inside Negatives in Two Steps Recap: Two-Step Equations

7Fractions in Equations

A Fraction Coefficient Clearing One Denominator Two Denominators A Fraction Around a Sum Cross-Multiplying Recap: Fractions

10From Words to Equations

Phrases into Expressions Sentences into Equations Consecutive Numbers Age and Money A Perimeter Problem Recap: Words

2One-Step Equations

Undoing Addition Undoing Subtraction Undoing Multiplication Undoing Division Inverse Operations Recap: One-Step Equations

5Tidying First

Like TermsTerms and Numbers MixedThe Distributive Property Distributing a Subtraction Tidy, Then Solve Recap: Tidying First

8Decimals and Percent

Decimal Coefficients Two-Step with Decimals Adding a Percent Percent Equations Recap: Decimals

11Formulas

Using a Formula Finding a Missing Value Solving for a Letter Temperature Recap: Formulas

3Negative Numbers

Below Zero A Negative Answer Negative Coefficients The Opposite of x Recap: Negatives

6Variables on Both Sides

x on Both Sides Gathering the x's Numbers and x's Everywhere Parentheses on One Side When x Is Negative Recap: Both Sides

9Special Cases

No Solution Always True Checking a Solution Recap: Special Cases

12Final Challenges

Parentheses on Both Sides Fractions and x's Decimals on Both Sides The Story Problem