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How to Simplify an Equation With X & Y on the Same Side

Simplifying linear equations with two variables is an important concept in algebra, and it continues to be important in all upper-level math. Often, when creating a graph of an equation, or when solving a linear system of which the equation is a part, you will need to solve for one variable of the equation, in terms of the other. For instance, you may need to solve for "y" in terms of "x."

Instructions

- 1
  Subtract all terms containing "x" from both sides of the equation. If you have the equation 3x + 4y = 2, subtracting 3x from both sides results in 4y = 2 - 3x.
- 2
  Further simplify the equation by dividing "y" by its coefficient. Here, dividing "y" by 4 yields y = 1/2 - (3/4)x.
- 3
  Graph your simplified equation by making a table of x-values and finding "y" in terms of "x." Or substitute your simplified equation into another linear equation to solve for the numerical values of "x" and "y."

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