Solving x + 5 = 12

Algebra 1 · Axiom Academy

Solve a one-step equation by undoing the operation on both sides to keep it balanced. Solve for x in the equation x + 5 = 12 . The goal is to get x by itself on one side, undoing whatever is done to it while keeping both sides equal. Nice work. You solved a one-step equation by applying the inverse operation to both sides and checking the result. Golden rule: whatever you do to one side of an equation, do to the other side to keep it balanced. Inverse operations: subtraction undoes addition, so subtracting 5 isolates x . Always check: substituting x = 7 gives 7 + 5 = 12 , confirming the solution. This balance-and-undo idea is the foundation for solving every linear equation, no matter how many steps it takes.

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