Mathematics » Solving Linear Equations I » Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality

# How to Translate an Equation and Solve

## How to Translate an Equation and Solve

In previous tutorials, we translated word sentences into equations. The first step is to look for the word (or words) that translate(s) to the equal sign. The table below reminds us of some of the words that translate to the equal sign.

Equals (=)
isis equal tois the same asthe result isgiveswaswill be

Let’s review the steps we used to translate a sentence into an equation.

### How to Translate a word sentence to an algebraic equation.

1. Locate the “equals” word(s). Translate to an equal sign.
2. Translate the words to the left of the “equals” word(s) into an algebraic expression.
3. Translate the words to the right of the “equals” word(s) into an algebraic expression.

Now we are ready to try an example.

## Example

Translate and solve: five more than $$x$$ is equal to $$26.$$

### Solution

 Translate. Subtract 5 from both sides. Simplify. Check: Is $$26$$ five more than $$21$$?   The solution checks.

## Example

Translate and solve: The difference of $$5p$$ and $$4p$$ is $$23.$$

### Solution

 Translate. Simplify. Check: The solution checks.

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