Home - HomeschoolMath.net
Free lessons Curriculum guide Reviews Menu

Balance as a model of an equation

This article discusses how to use a balance to model simple linear equations in pre-algebra or algebra 1. On this page, we only deal with positive integers; part 2 explains how to use a balance with equations that involve negative integers.

An equation is basically saying that two things (expressions, to be exact) are EQUAL. Since in a balanced situation the two sides of the balance hold equal weight, we can model simple equations with a balance.

In the pictures below, each circle represents one and the block represents the unknown x. To find out what the block weighs, you can

  • add the same amount (circles or blocks) to BOTH sides
  • take away the same amount from BOTH sides
  • That way both sides will maintain the balance or "the equality".



    x + 3 = 5

    If this is a balanced situation...
     

    x = 2

    ...so is this!
    (We took away three circles from BOTH sides.)

     

    3x + 2 = 2x + 6
     

    Take away two blocks (two x's) from both sides. The balance will stay balanced.

    x + 2 = 6
     

    Take away 2 circles from both sides. The balance will stay balanced.

    x = 4

    Here is the solution!

     
    Without the scale model, the solving process looks like this:

     3x + 2
    -2x
    =  2x + 6
    -2x
    (take away 2x from both sides)
    x + 2
    -2

    = 6
    -2
    (take away 2 from both sides)
    x = 4

    Dividing

    In some situations you have to divide both sides of the equation by the same number.  When is that? It's in the fortunate situation where there are ONLY x's (blocks) on one side but there are more than one.

    2x = 8
     

    If you take away half of the things on the left side, and similarly half of the things on the right side, the balance will stay balanced.

    x = 4

     

    3x = 9
     

    Think about it! If one is a balanced situation...

    x = 3

    ...so is the other (and vice versa)! We simply divided both sides by 3.

     

    Combining the operations

    The allowed operations are:

    • Add the same amount to both sides (either x's or ones)
    • Subtract the same amount from both sides (either x's or ones)
    • Multiply both sides by the same number (but not by zero)
    • Divide both sides by the same number (but not by zero)

    (There are others, too, but they are not needed in simple equations.)

    The goal is to FIRST add and subtract until we have ONLY x's (blocks) on one side and ONLY ones (circles) on the other. Then, if you have more than one block, you need to divide so as to arrive to the situation with only one block on the one side, which is the solved equation!

    Multiplying both sides can occur if you have a fractional block (less than one block) on one side. For example, the equation  1/4x = 13  is solved by multiplying both sides by 4.  Try let your students model the equation 1/2x + 14 = 20 using a balance; they can solve it with it. More advanced students can ponder what to do about the equation 2/3x = 12.


    Example of both subtracting and dividing

    In this example we use all the abovementioned operations: taking away from both sides of the equation and dividing the equation by the same number.

     



    4x + 2 = 2x + 5
    First we get rid of the blocks on the right side by taking away two blocks from both sides.

    2x + 2 = 5

    Then we eliminate the circles on the left side by removing 2 circles from both sides.

    2x = 3

    Now there are only blocks on one side and only circles on the other. To find out what 1 block weighs, we take half of both sides.

    x = 1 1/2

    The solution is that 1 block weighs 1 1/2 circles.

    Try substituting this value x = 1 1/2 into the original equation 4x + 2 = 2x + 5 and check if the equation becomes true!


    Example exercises

    These equations are simple enough that you can solve them using a balance model. ALWAYS check your solution by substituting it into the original equation.

    1. 2x + 3 = 5
    2. 2x + 5 = x + 9
    3. 3x + 2 = 2x + 4
    4. 3x + 3 = 5 + x
    5. 5x + 4 = 3x + 6
    6. 6x + 2 = 3x + 6
    7. 6x + 3 = 2x +

    Continue to Negative terms in an equation


    See also

    Scales problems - video lesson
    In this video lesson for 4th or 5th grade, I solve 14 different balance problems, starting from the most simple and advancing to some that have double scales. Students learn the principles of dividing both sides of the equation by the same number and removing (subtracting) the same amount of both sides of the equation.



    Math Lessons menu