Simplify+both+sides


 * Simplifying both sides of the equation is the first step in solving a linear equation.**[[image:Simplify.jpg width="340" height="299" align="right" caption="Flickr user: CyberSlayer" link="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberslayer/952953634/"]]



There are generally two ways in which to simplify, shown in the example above.


 * Distributive property** - Distribute the term on the outside of the parentheses to each of the terms within the parentheses. So, in this case, the result would be **6x - 12** for the left side of the equation because the 3 would be distributed to each of the two terms in the parentheses. (How the Distributive Property works)


 * Combine like terms** - Like terms can be combined by adding or subtracting them. In this example the right side of the equation would become **-3x + 30** after adding the like terms, 13 and 17. (Combining like terms)


 * Remember **: You must simplify each side of the equation separately -- that means you can't just combine like terms that are on different sides of the equals sign.

Simplify each side of the equation either by using the Distributive Property or by combining like terms.
 * Try a few! **

Example 1: