Solving One-Step Equations                    Page 3 of 5

​Equations with Subtraction

Let's try another equation, this time with subtraction.  

Remember, addition and subtraction are inverses. To undo subtraction, we need to use the inverse operation: addition.

Step 1: Use the inverse operation to get the variable by itself.
​To undo subtracting 3, we need to add 3. Make sure to add 3 to both sides of the equation.

Step 2: Check your answer.​
Plug in 9 for x in the original equation. Does 9 - 3 = 6?  Yes, the answer is correct.

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