Question

Solve the equation. $$x=4-7$$

Short answer

-3

Step-by-step solution

Subtraction

To solve the equation, subtract 7 from 4. This can be represented as \(x = 4 - 7\).

Key concepts

Basic Algebra

Algebra is a branch of mathematics that uses symbols, known as variables, to represent numbers in equations and formulas. It allows us to formulate rules and relationships between quantities in a general way. For instance, in basic algebra, we might want to find the value of a variable, such as 'x', that makes the equation true.

One of the primary skills in algebra is simplifying expressions and solving equations, which involves finding the values of the variables. Understanding the properties of operations—like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—is crucial. In our example, we have an equation that sets 'x' equal to the expression '4 - 7'. The goal here is to simplify that expression to find the value of 'x'. Simply put, algebra is like a puzzle. Each equation is a puzzle, and our job is to solve it to find the missing piece, the value of the variable.

Subtraction in Equations

Subtraction is one of the basic arithmetic operations that is often used in algebra to solve for variables. When you come across an equation that requires subtraction, you're usually trying to isolate the variable by removing other numbers from one side of the equation. This isolates the variable, making it easier to determine its value.

In our example, the variable 'x' is set to be equal to '4 - 7'. To solve for 'x', we need to perform the subtraction of 7 from 4. Subtraction in equations follows the same rules as basic arithmetic subtraction—take the second number from the first—and in the context of equations, it helps us simplify the expressions down to a solution for the variable we're trying to find.

Solving for x

When 'solving for x', our task is to determine the value of the variable 'x' that makes the equation true. This often involves performing operations to 'x' and other numbers within the equation to isolate 'x' on one side of the equation. The solution to an equation is the value of 'x' that balances both sides of the equation.

In the given example, the equation is simply 'x = 4 - 7'. To 'solve for x', we need to carry out the subtraction operation. Since 4 minus 7 equals negative 3, the solution to this equation is 'x = -3'. There are no further operations to perform on 'x' because the equation is already solved with 'x' isolated on one side. Solving for 'x' is a fundamental part of algebra and serves as the basis for more complex problem-solving in mathematics.