Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

3 : 12 x
 10 ¼ 8 xþ 26

12 x
 10 þ 10 ¼ 8 xþ 26 þ 10

12 x
 8 x¼ 8 x
 8 xþ 36

4 x¼ 36

41 x

41

¼

36

4

x¼ 9

4 : 6 xþ 5 ¼ 3 xþ 32

6 xþ 5 
 5 ¼ 3 xþ 32 
 5

6 x¼ 3 xþ 27

6 x
 3 x¼ 3 x
 3 xþ 27

3 x¼ 27

31 x

31

¼

27

3

x¼ 9

5 : 10 x
 7 ¼ 5 xþ 33

10 x
 7 þ 7 ¼ 5 xþ 33 þ 7

10 x¼ 5 xþ 40

10 x
 5 x¼ 5 x
 5 xþ 40

5 x¼ 40

51 x

51

¼

40

5

x¼ 8

Many equations contain parentheses. In order to remove parentheses,

multiply each term inside the parentheses by the number outside the

74 REFRESHER IV Equations