Strategy for Solving Linear Equations

Step 1.  Simplify each expression as much as possible.

Step 2.  Using the Addition Property of Equality, get all of the terms that contain the variable on one side of the equation and all of the terms that do not contain the variable on the other side of the equation.

Step 3.  Simplify both expressions as much as possible.

Step 4.  Using the Multiplication Property of Equality, isolate the variable; that is, get the variable all by itself on one side of the equation.  (Note:  It may be necessary to factor the variable out of all of the terms as a common factor in order to accomplish this step!)

Step 5.  Simplify each expression as much as possible.

That's it!  You're done!  All you have to do is read the answer at this point.