English Spanish

Solving Equations Using

7.2
Addition or Subtraction

How can you use addition or subtraction to

S
STATE solve an equation?
STANDARDS
MA.6.A.3.2 If two sides of a scale weigh the If you add or subtract the same amount on
same, the scale will balance. each side of the scale, it will still balance.

1 1 1 1 4 4
1 1 1 1

1 EXAMPLE: Solving an Equation Using Subtraction

Use a scale to model and solve n + 3 = 7.

Think of a scale with both sides in balance. Whatever you add to or subtract
from one side, you need to do the same on the other side to keep the scale
in balance.

n+3 = 7
When n + 3 is on one side and 7 is on
the other side, the scale is balanced.

n+3 = 7
−3 = −3
Your goal is to get n by itself on one side.
To do this, subtract 3 from each side.

n = 4
Simplify each side. The remaining value is
the solution.

So, n = 4.

Check
You can check the solution by substituting 4+3=7 ✓
4 for n in the original equation.

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2 ACTIVITY: Solving Equations Using Mental Math

Work with a partner. Write a question that represents the equation. Use
mental math to answer the question. Then check your solution.

Equation Question Solution Check

Sample: a. x + 3 = 7 What number plus 3 equals 7? x=4 4+3=7 ✓
b. 4 + m = 11

c. 8 = a + 3

d. x − 9 = 21

e. 13 = p − 4

3 ACTIVITY: Solving Equations Using Addition or Subtraction

Work with a partner. Solve the equation using Example 1 as a sample.
a. n+5 = 10 b. x−4 = 2

c. 6 = x−3 d. 1 = m−5

4. Decide whether the statement is true or false. If false, explain your reasoning.
a. In an equation, any letter can be used as a variable.
b. The goal in solving an equation is to get the variable by itself.
c. In the solution, the variable must always be on the left side of the
equal sign.
d. If you add a number to one side, you should subtract it from the
other side.
e. If you add a number to one side, you should add it to the other side.
5. IN YOUR OWN WORDS How can you use addition or subtraction to solve an
equation? Give two examples to show how your procedure works.

Use what you learned about solving equations to complete

Exercises 12–17 on page 287.

Section 7.2 Solving Equations Using Addition or Subtraction 283

 English Spanish

7.2 Lesson
Lesson Tutorials

A solution of an equation is a value that makes the equation true.

Key Vocabulary
solution, p. 284 Value of x x+3=7 Are both sides equal?
inverse operations, ?
p. 285 3+3=7
3
6≠7 ✗ no

?
4+3=7
4 yes
7=7 ✓
Reading ?
5+3=7
5
8≠7 ✗ no
The symbol ≠ means
“is not equal to.”
So, the value x = 4 is a solution of the equation x + 3 = 7.

EXAMPLE 1 Checking Solutions

Tell whether the given value is a solution of the equation.
a. p + 10 = 38; p = 18
?
18 + 10 = 38 Substitute 18 for p.
28 ≠ 38 ✗ Sides are not equal.
28
38

So, p = 18 is not a solution.

b. 4y = 56; y = 14
?
4(14) = 56 Substitute 14 for y.
56 = 56 ✓ Sides are equal.
56 56

So, y = 14 is a solution.

Tell whether the given value is a solution of the equation.

Exercises 6 –11 1. a + 6 = 17; a = 9 2. 9 − g = 5; g = 3
q
3. 35 = 7n; n = 5 4. — = 28; q = 14
2

284 Chapter 7 Equations

English Spanish

You can use inverse operations to solve equations. Inverse operations

“undo” each other. Addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

Addition Property of Equality

Words If you add the same number to each side of an equation, the
two sides remain equal.
Numbers 8= 8 Algebra x−4= 5
+5 +5 +4 +4
13 13 x= 9

Subtraction Property of Equality

Words If you subtract the same number from each side of an
equation, the two sides remain equal.
Numbers 8= 8 Algebra x+4= 5
−5 −5 −4 −4
3 3 x= 1

EXAMPLE 2 Solving Equations Using Addition

a. Solve x − 2 = 6.
Check
x−2= 6 Write the equation.
x−2=6
Undo the subtraction. +2 +2 Add 2 to each side. ?
8−2=6
x= 8 Simplify.
6=6 ✓
The solution is x = 8.

b. Solve 18 = x − 7.
Study Tip Check
18 = x − 7 Write the equation.
You can check your 18 = x − 7
solution by substituting +7 +7 Add 7 to each side. ?
it for the variable in the 18 = 25 − 7
original equation. 25 = x Simplify.
18 = 18 ✓
The solution is x = 25.

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

Exercises 18–20 5. k − 3 = 1 6. n − 10 = 4 7. 15 = r − 6

Section 7.2 Solving Equations Using Addition or Subtraction 285

 English Spanish

EXAMPLE 3 Solving Equations Using Subtraction

a. Solve x + 2 = 9.
x+2= 9 Write the equation. Check
Undo the addition. −2 −2 Subtract 2 from each side. x+2=9
x= 7 Simplify. ?
7+2=9

The solution is x = 7. 9=9 ✓

b. Solve 26 = 11 + x.
26 = 11 + x Write the equation. Check
− 11 − 11 Subtract 11 from each side. 26 = 11 + x
15 = x Simplify. ?
26 = 11 + 15

The solution is x = 15. 26 = 26 ✓

EXAMPLE 4 Real-Life Application

You climb 23 feet on a rock climbing wall. Write and solve an
equation to find the distance to the top.

Words The distance plus the distance is the height of

climbed to the top the wall.

Variable Let d be the distance to the top.

Equation 23 + d = 48

23 + d = 48 Write the equation.

− 23 − 23 Subtract 23 from each side.
d= 25 Simplify.

The distance to the top is 25 feet.

Wall height: 48 ft

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

Exercises 21–29 8. s + 8 = 17 9. 9=y+6 10. 13 + m = 20

11. You eat 8 blueberries from a package. There are 31 blueberries left.
Write and solve an equation to find the number of blueberries in a
full package.

286 Chapter 7 Equations

English Spanish

7.2 Exercises
Help with Homework

1. WRITING How can you check the solution of an equation?

Name the inverse operation you can use to solve the equation.
2. x − 8 = 12 3. n + 3 = 13 4. b + 14 = 33

5. WRITING When solving x + 5 = 16, why do you subtract 5 from the left side of
the equation? Why do you subtract 5 from the right side of the equation?

6)=3
9+(- 3)=
3+(- 9)=
4+(- =
1)
9+(-

Tell whether the given value is a solution of the equation.

1 6. x + 42 = 85; x = 43 7. 8b = 48; b = 6
m
8. 19 − g = 7; g = 15 9. — = 16; m = 4
4
10. w + 23 = 41; w = 28 11. s − 68 = 11; s = 79

Use a scale to model and solve the equation.

12. n + 7 = 9 13. t − 4 = 5 14. c + 2 = 8

Write a question that represents the equation. Use mental math to answer
the question. Then check your solution.
15. a + 5 = 12 16. v + 9 = 18 17. 20 = d − 6

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

2 18. y − 7 = 3 19. z − 3 = 13 20. 8 = r − 14
3 21. p + 5 = 8 22. k + 6 = 18 23. 64 = h + 30

3 1
24. f − 27 = 19 25. 25 = q + 14 26. — = j − —
4 2
2 9
27. x + — = — 28. 1.2 = m − 2.5 29. a + 5.5 = 17.3
3 10

ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the error in solving the equation.

✗ ✗
30. 31.
x + 7 = 13 34 = y − 12
+7 +7 − 12 + 12
x = 20 22 = y

Section 7.2 Solving Equations Using Addition or Subtraction 287

 English Spanish

32. PENGUINS An emperor penguin is 45 inches tall. It is

3
24 inches taller than a rockhopper penguin. Write and
solve an equation to find the height of a rockhopper
24 in.
penguin.
33. ELEVATOR You get in an elevator and go down 8 floors.
You exit on the 16th floor. Write and solve an equation
to find what floor you got on the elevator.

HAITI DOMINICAN
JAMAICA REPUBLIC
34
34. AREA The area of Jamaica Port-au-
Kingston Santo
is 6460 square miles less than Prince Domingo
the area of Haiti. Write and Area = 4181 mi2
solve an equation to find the
area of Haiti.

x + 3 = 12 Write the equation.

35. REASONING The solution of the
x + 3 − 3 = 12 − 3
equation x + 3 = 12 is shown.
Write the property used for x+0=9
each step. x=9

Write the word sentence as an equation. Then solve the equation.

36. 13 subtracted from a number w is 15. 37. A number k increased by 7 is 34.
38. 9 is the difference of a number n and 7. 39. 93 is the sum of a number g and 58.

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

40. b + 7 + 12 = 30 41. y + 4 − 1 = 18 42. m + 18 + 23 = 71
43. v − 7 = 9 + 12 44. 5 + 44 = 2 + r 45. 22 + 15 = d − 17

GEOMETRY Write and solve an addition equation to find x.

46. Perimeter = 48 ft 47. Perimeter = 132 in. 48. Perimeter = 93 ft
16 in. 18 ft 18 ft

20 ft 34 in. 34 in.
x
15 ft 15 ft
x
x
12 ft

49. REASONING Explain why the equations x + 4 = 13 and 4 + x = 13 have the

same solution.
50. REASONING Explain why the equations x − 13 = 4 and 13 − x = 4 do not
have the same solution.

288 Chapter 7 Equations

English Spanish

51. SIMPLIFYING AND SOLVING Compare and contrast the two problems.

Simplify the expression 2(x + 3) − 4. Solve the equation x + 3 = 4.

2(x + 3) − 4 = 2x + 6 − 4 x+3= 4
= 2x + 2 −3=−3
x= 1

a 37 16 52. PUZZLE In a magic square, the sum of the numbers in each row,
column, and diagonal is the same. Write and solve equations to
19 25 b find the values of a, b, and c.

34 c 28

Bumper Cars: $1.75 53. AMUSEMENT PARK You have $15.

Roller Coaster: $1.25 more than Ferris Wheel a. Write and solve three
Giant Slide: $0.50 less than Bumper Cars equations to find the cost
Ferris Wheel: $1.50 more than Giant Slide r of the roller coaster, the
cost g of the giant slide,
and the cost f of the
Ferris wheel.
b. How much money do you
have left if you ride each
ride once?

54. Consider the equation x + y = 15. The value of x increases by 3.

What has to happen to the value of y so that x + y = 15 remains true?

Find the product or quotient. SKILLS REVIEW HANDBOOK

55. 12 × 8 56. 13 × 16 57. 75 ÷ 15 58. 72 ÷ 3

59. MULTIPLE CHOICE The figure is made up of a trapezoid 10 in.

and a semicircle. What is the perimeter of the figure? 4 in. 5 in.
Use 3.14 for π. SECTION 6.2
13 in.
A 32 in. B 39.41 in.
C 52.41 in. D 59.82 in.

Section 7.2 Solving Equations Using Addition or Subtraction 289