| x | - | a | = | b | | | | x minus a equals b |
| | + | a | | | | | | the opposite of -a is +a |
| | | | | + | a | | | apply +a to other side to keep equation in balance |
| | | x | = | b | + | a | | consolidate both sides |
OR
show as follows
x - a = b
+ a + a
x = b + a
Example
| x | - | 2 | = | 5 | | | | x minus 2 equals 5 |
| | + | 2 | | | | | | the opposite of -2 is +2 |
| | | | | + | 2 | | | apply +2 to other side to keep equation in balance |
| | | x | = | 7 | | | | consolidate both sides |
OR
show as follows
x - 2 = 5
+ 2 + 2
x = 7
|