In order to solve for 'x' (or any variable in this matter!), you must isolate it.
In order to isolate it, you will probably have to do some of the following:
1. Addition
2. Subtraction
3. Division
4. Multiplication (Rarely used, only when there are fractions in play)
I'll give you a few examples of all of these in play.
x - 1 = 3
In this case, we must use addition to isolate x. Add 1:
x - 1 + 1 = 3 + 1
x = 4
Subtraction:
x + 1 = 2
In order to isolate x, we have to subtract both sides by 1:
x + 1 - 1 = 2 - 1
x = 1
Division:
2x = 4
In order to isolate x, we have to divide by 2:
2x/2 = 4/2
x = 2
Multiplication:
x/2 = 4
In order to isolate x, we have to multiply both sides by 2 to remove the denominator of the fraction
2*x/2 = 4 * 2
x = 8
Those are the most common ways of solving for a variable in a mathematics question. If you have a question, just ask. :)
Good luck!
