The kids work on various skills here including how to use the addition principle to balance algebraic equations and solve for a variable. Each set of worksheets introduces your students to the concept of the addition principle, and provides examples, short practice sets, longer sets of questions, and quizzes. The addition principal is one of the fundamental rules of math. It mostly applies to equation we are trying to solve. We start by identifying likenesses and put them together. As long as you add the same thing to both sides of an equation, you are good to go.
These worksheets demonstrate how to solve for an equation with an unknown variable by isolating that variable on one side of the other side and either adding or subtracting the known numbers in the equation.
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How to Solve Equations Using the Addition Principle
Mathematics gives us a way to properly quantify, measure, and understand everything we see in the world around us. Everywhere we look, there is some form of mathematics right down to the smallest neurons inside an atom all the way up to superclusters out in the cosmos. There is nothing in this world that does not have mathematics of some sort embedded into it.
Mathematics has several functions, methods, and formulas to work with and choose from. However, there are four basic pillars on which it stands. These are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Every formula used in mathematics uses at least one of these in its computation.
Without addition, a lot of the very basic function of the world that we live in would be rendered defunct. There is no area of life where addition isn't used or can be used. Regardless of field or function, there is always a situation where we can use addition. It is important that we understand how it works and what its practical implementations are.
We are going to talk about the additional principle, one of the most basic principles out there. The addition principle is defined as the process where you add and subtract the same number or variable on both sides of the same equation. Since we are applying this to both sides of the equal sign, the equation remains the same.
This will, in turn, render the equation unchanged. It is a balancing act where if one side of the equals sign is increased, the other must also be increased for it to become the same. If you add or subtract a value on one side, you must make sure that the other side is also changed to bring it to the same value.
Without the addition principle, the equals sign (=) would be rendered defunct because it is by using this principle that we are able to prove that one side of the equation has the same value as the other. Not having such a definitive principle in use would make it incredibly difficult to calculate even the most basic of mathematical functions.
The addition principle isn't a specific topic in mathematics like quadratic equations or calculus. It is a concept that should be understood in order for us to make different calculations work. When you need to find the value of an unknown variable, the addition principle will allow you to shift the unknown values to one side and the unknown to the other. It is assumed that these values are equal to one another so the work is done to prove this.
An example of this is as follows:
Assume the following equation: x - 3 = 12. Here, you must calculate the value of the variable X. To do so, we will use the addition principle:
x - 3 = 12 x = 12 + 3 x = 15
If we add this value of x into the original equation, it will prove the principle.
15 - 3 = 12
Hence, proved.
This is a very basic explanation of how this works. It can be scaled up to detailed and complex calculations as well but in the end, the principle remains the same. To calculate an unknown value, the addition principle is a proven method to be used.
Regardless of what level of mathematics you use or practice, the addition principle is going to help you out. From basic equations to calculate the value of X all the way up to complex computations to get people on Mars, this principle is going to be imperative to the point where it wouldn't be possible without it.
