To solve a linear equation you need to get the letter on its own on one side
It is really important to write your working neatly when you are solving equations
* 5x + 3 = 18
* -3
* 5x = 15
* /5
* x=3
* Every line of working should have an equals sign in it
* Start a new line for each step, do one operation at a time
* Write down the operation you are carrying out, remember to do the same thing to both sides of the equation
* Line up the equals signs
Letter on both sides
To solve an equation you have to get the letter on its own on one side of the equations
Start by collecting like terms so that all the letters are together
* 2 - 2x = 26 + 4x
* +2x
* 2 = 26 + 6x
* -26
* -24 = 6x
* /6
* -4 = x
Equations with brackets
Always start by multiplying out the brackets then collecting like terms
* 19 = 8 - 2(5 - 3y)
* 19 = 8 - 10 + 6y
* +2
* 21 = 6y
* 21/6 = y
Examiners report
Don’t use a trial and improvement method to solve an equation
You probably won’t find the correct answer, and you can’t get any method marks