The document provides instructions for students to learn how to solve basic addition and subtraction equations. It includes 5 examples of equations for students to practice solving, such as r + 16 = -7 and 8 = m - 3. The steps demonstrated include drawing a line to separate the equation, then adding or subtracting values from both sides to isolate the variable. The goal is for students to be able to solve one-step equations using these fundamental arithmetic operations.

1. Target
The student will be
able to:
solve equations using
addition and subtraction.
1

2. 1) Solve r + 16 = ­7
Think of this equation as a balance scale.
Whatever you do to one side has to be
2

3. 1) Solve r + 16 = ­7
To solve, you must get the variable by
itself.
What number is on the same side as r?
___________
To get r by itself, we must undo the
“add 16”. What is the opposite of
addition?
___________________
3

4. 1) Solve r + 16 = ­7
• Draw “the river” to
separate the equation
into 2 sides
• Subtract 16 from
both sides
• Simplify vertically
4

5. 2) Solve x + 2 = ­3
Get the variable by itself. What is your
first step?
CIRCLE YOUR ANSWER
• Add 2 to both sides
• Subtract 2 from both sides
• Add 3 to both sides
• Subtract 3 from both sides
5

6. 2) Solve x + 2 = ­3
• Draw “the river”
to separate the
equation into 2
sides
• Subtract 2 from
both sides
• Simplify
vertically
6

7. 7

8. 3) Solve 8 = m ­ 3
• m = 5
• m = 11
• m = 24
• m = 8/3
CIRCLE YOUR ANSWER
8

9. 3) Solve 8 = m ­ 3
• Draw “the river” to
separate the
equation into 2 sides
• Add 3 to both sides
• Simplify vertically
9

10. When solving equations, we want to
eliminate double signs.
y + (­3) = 8
is rewritten as
________________
p – (­5) = 6
is rewritten as
__________________
As a general rule, replace “+ (­ )” with “–” and
“– (­ )” with “+”. This will make things less
10

11. 4) Solve y + (­3) = 7
Draw “the river” to
separate the
equation into 2 sides
Eliminate the double
sign
Add 3 to both sides
Simplify vertically
11

12. 5) Solve. ­x ­ (­2) = 1
• Draw “the river” to separate
the equation into 2 sides
• Eliminate the double sign
• Subtract 2 from both sides
• Simplify vertically
• We haven’t gotten x by itself.
• If we read this aloud, it is “the
opposite of x equals ­1”.
• What would x be equal?
12

13. Solve ­y – (­3) = 7
• y = 10
• y = 4
• y = ­10
• y = ­4
13