Subtracting 4 from Both Sides

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 95 views

Introduction

Linear equations are a fundamental concept in mathematics, and solving them is a crucial skill for students to master. In this article, we will focus on solving a specific linear equation, $2(c+2) = 20$ , to find the value of the variable $c$ . We will break down the solution into step-by-step instructions, making it easy to follow and understand.

What are Linear Equations?

A linear equation is an equation in which the highest power of the variable(s) is 1. It can be written in the form $ax + b = c$ , where $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ are constants, and $x$ is the variable. Linear equations can be solved using various methods, including algebraic manipulation, graphing, and substitution.

The Given Equation

The given equation is $2(c+2) = 20$ . Our goal is to solve for the value of $c$ . To do this, we will use the distributive property to expand the left-hand side of the equation.

Distributive Property

The distributive property states that for any numbers $a$ , $b$ , and $c$ , $a(b+c) = ab + ac$ . We can apply this property to the given equation:

2(c+2) = 2c + 4

Simplifying the Equation

Now that we have expanded the left-hand side of the equation, we can simplify it by combining like terms. In this case, there are no like terms to combine, so the equation remains:

2c + 4 = 20

Subtracting 4 from Both Sides

To isolate the term with the variable, $c$ , we need to get rid of the constant term, 4. We can do this by subtracting 4 from both sides of the equation:

2c + 4 - 4 = 20 - 4

This simplifies to:

2c = 16

Dividing Both Sides by 2

Finally, we need to get rid of the coefficient, 2, that is multiplied by the variable, $c$ . We can do this by dividing both sides of the equation by 2:

\frac{2c}{2} = \frac{16}{2}

This simplifies to:

c = 8

Conclusion

In this article, we solved the linear equation $2(c+2) = 20$ to find the value of the variable $c$ . We used the distributive property to expand the left-hand side of the equation, simplified it by combining like terms, subtracted 4 from both sides to isolate the term with the variable, and finally divided both sides by 2 to get the value of $c$ . The final answer is $c = 8$ .

Tips and Tricks

When solving linear equations, always start by simplifying the equation by combining like terms.
Use the distributive property to expand the left-hand side of the equation.
Isolate the term with the variable by subtracting or adding the same value to both sides of the equation.
Finally, divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient to get the value of the variable.

Practice Problems

Try solving the following linear equations:

$3(x+1) = 12$
$2(y-2) = 16$
$4(z+3) = 24$

Solutions

$x = 3$
$y = 8$
$z = 4$

Real-World Applications

Linear equations have numerous real-world applications, including:

Physics: Linear equations are used to describe the motion of objects under constant acceleration.
Engineering: Linear equations are used to design and optimize systems, such as electrical circuits and mechanical systems.
Economics: Linear equations are used to model economic systems, including supply and demand curves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, solving linear equations is a crucial skill for students to master. By following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this article, students can solve linear equations with ease. Remember to simplify the equation by combining like terms, use the distributive property to expand the left-hand side of the equation, isolate the term with the variable by subtracting or adding the same value to both sides of the equation, and finally divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient to get the value of the variable.