Solve x + 6 = –3
I want to get the x by itself; that is, I want to get "x" on one side of the "equals" sign, and some number on the other side. Since I want just x on the one side, this means that I don't like the "plus six" that's currently on the same side as the x. Since the 6 is added to the x, I need to subtractto get rid of it. That is, I will need to subtract a 6from the x in order to "undo" having added a 6to it.
This brings up the most important consideration with equations: No matter what kind of equation you're dealing with -- linear or otherwise -- whatever you do to the one side, you must do the exact same thing to the other side!
