How Do You Solve an Equation Using Division?

Note:

Solving an equation for a variable? Perform the order of operations in reverse! Check it out in this tutorial.

Keywords:

problem
equation
solve
solve by division
division property of equality
linear equation

Background Tutorials

Evaluate expressions at specific values of their variables. Include expressions that arise from formulas used in real-world problems. Perform arithmetic operations, including those involving whole-number exponents, in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).
- How Do You Evaluate an Algebraic Expression?
  
  Plugging variables into an expression is essential for solving many algebra problems. See how to plug in variable values by watching this tutorial.
- What is a Variable?
  
  You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!
Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.
- What's the Division Property of Equality?
  
  Solving equations can be tough, especially if you've forgotten or have trouble understanding the tools at your disposal. One of those tools is the division property of equality, and it lets you divide both sides of an equation by the same number. Watch the video to see it in action!
Understand that multiplication is extended from fractions to rational numbers by requiring that operations continue to satisfy the properties of operations, particularly the distributive property, leading to products such as (-1)(-1) = 1 and the rules for multiplying signed numbers. Interpret products of rational numbers by describing real-world contexts.
- How Do You Figure Out the Sign of a Product or Quotient?
  
  Multiplying and dividing numbers takes a good amount of thinking, and it's easy to make a mistake. But you can make sure that you're on the right track if you check whether the answer should be positive or negative. In this tutorial you'll see exactly how to tell if your answer will be positive or negative, even if you don't know the exact value of the answer. That way you'll always be able to check your answers!