An equation is a mathematical statement that has an expression on the left side of the equals sign (=) with the same value as the expression on the right side. An example of an equation is 222 + 222 = 444.
One of the terms in an equation may not be known and needs to be determined. The unknown term may be represented by a letter such as x (e.g. 222 + x = 444). The equation is solved by finding the value of the unknown x that makes the two sides of the equation have the same value.
Use the subtractive equation property to find the value of x in addition equations. The subtractive equation property states that the two sides of an equation remain equal if the same number is subtracted from each side.
Example:
500 + x = 1200
500 + x - 500 = 1200 - 500
0 + x = 700
x = 700
Check the answer by substituting (700) for x in the original equation. The answer is correct if the expressions on each side of the equals sign have the same value.
500 + 700 = 1200
