Darius B. answered • 05/22/22
Conceptual Math Teacher Specializing in Algebra, Geometry and Writing!
Hey!
Great question. Besides the distributive property, all are solved using inverse operations. And whatever we do on one side of equations, we MUST do on another! Here are some common signals...
Distributive Property: These will always have this form: a(b+c) = d. Remember that "distributing" is just breaking down parentheses! What is in front gets "distributed" (multiplied) to everything on the inside.
Subtraction: a + b = c. These can be any integers, but for one/two/multistep equations, you have to use the inverse of addition to get the term you want - like "a" in this example.
Addition: a - b = c. Similar situation, but now the inverse to get "a" by itself is addition! Adding b on both sides completes this equation.
Division: ab = c. A letter next to a number always signifies multiplication! Getting rid of the b means dividing by "b" on both sides.
Multiplication: a/b = c. This time, the "b" is being divided. To get rid of it, simply multiply on both sides!
Let me know if you have questions! (These are mostly for one-step equations.)
