Read the equation and determine which mathematical operation it is using. For example, in the equation 5 + x = 13, the equation uses addition. In the problem 7x = 14, the operation is multiplication.
Isolate the x on one side of the equation. Do this by performing the opposite operation on both sides of the equation. For example, in the problem 5 + x = 13, subtract 5 from both sides like this: 5 - 5 + x = 13 - 5. When solving the problem 7x = 14, divide both sides by 7, so that you end up with 7/7 * x = 14/7. You must perform the same operation on both sides of the equation so that it remains equal.
Simplify the equation in order to get x by itself on one side. In our first example you now have x = 13 - 5, so x equals 8. With the multiplication example, the equation now reads x = 14/7, so x equals 2.