1. Let’s solve the equation: We shall use a scale to represent our equation. The variable x will be replaced with and the numbers will be represented with coins. Click to go on ?

2. Here is our scale representation of our equation! Click to go on

3. Our job is to solve for x. That is, try to get by itself! Click to go on ?

4. We take 3 away from the left side first! Click to see what will happen.

5. We take 3 away from the left side first! The right side is now heavier. Click to go on.

6. To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right! Let’s try taking 3 away from the right side. Click to go on.

7. To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right! Click to go on.

8. The balance is now level again. Click to go on. The equation is then x = 1

9. Let’s solve another equation: We shall use a scale to represent our equation. The variable x will be replaced with and the numbers will be represented with coins. Click to go on ?

10. Here is our scale representation of our equation! Click to go on

11. We take 4 away from the left side first! Click to see what will happen.

12. We take 4 away from the left side first! The right side is now heavier. Click to go on.

13. To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right! Let’s try taking 4 away from the right side. Click to go on.

14. To make it level again, we have to take out something from the right! Click to go on.

15. The balance is now level again. Click to go on. The equation is then x = 4

16. Let’s try one more! The variable is on the right side of the equation. Using our scale however, we see that this has no baring on how we approach the problem. Click to go on

17. Here is our scale representation of our equation! Click to go on

18. We take 4 away from the right side first! Click to see what will happen.

19. We take 4 away from the right side first! The left side is now heavier. Click to go on.

20. To make it level again, we have to take out something from the left! Let’s try taking 4 away from the left side. Click to go on.

21. To make it level again, we have to take out something from the left! Click to go on.

22. The balance is now level again. Click to go on. The equation is then 3 = x

23. The End