Solving an Equationis Like Unwrapping a Present

Oh no…

One way to think about solving an equation is to think about

UNWRAPPING a present.

But first, we need to wrap our present…

1. Put present in box.

2. Wrap with paper.

3. Stick on a bow.

Wrapping…

To unwrap the present, we do the same actions, but in the reverse order.

In math, we call operations that undo each other inverse operations.

Examples of inverse operations are addition and subtraction and multiplication and division.

1. Lose the bow.

2. Unwrap paper.

3. Take present OUT.

Unwrapping…

MeOWW!Thanks.

Solving a Two-Step Equation

4x – 16 = 20 What is happening to x?First x is being multiplied by 4,and then 16 is being subtracted fromthat product.

Undo the subtraction of 16 by adding 16to both sides of the equation.

+16 +16

4x = 364 4

x = 9Undo the multiplication of by 4 by dividing both sides of the equation by 4.

4x – 16 = 204(9)–16 = 20

Finally – Check your answer. Substitutethe value you got for x and see if it’s a truestatement.✔

Disclaimer:No kittens were hurt during the making of this PowerPoint.