Solving a two-step equation with Integers

To solve the equation , we first want to isolate the variable . We can start by adding 2 to both sides of the equation:

This simplifies to:

Next, divide both sides by 5:

So, the solution is .

To check the solution, we can substitute back into the original equation:

Calculating the right side gives us:

This confirms that our solution is correct!

This process of uncovering is not just limited to equations; believe it or not, many real-world scenarios revolve around solving for unknowns! Picture budgeting—often, we need to figure out how much money we need to save, given our monthly expenses and income. Just like in our equation, by isolating our variables, we can plan our finances effectively!

Equations have a rich historical background. The earliest known equations date back to ancient Babylon, where mathematicians used them for everything from land measurement to trade calculations. The art of balancing equations emerged alongside algebra, evolving over centuries through the hands of notable figures like Al-Khwarizmi in the 9th century, paving the way for the advanced algebra we use today!