Solve One-Step

Equations Using Algebra

In algebra, letters are used to represent numbers in equation. Any letter can be used but
the letter x is often chosen. An algebraic x is written to look different to a letter ‘x’. To
avoid any confusion, multiplication symbols are not used in algebra and the number
you are multiplying by is put before the algebraic letter. For example, 2x means ‘x
multiplied by 2’.

Use the bar models to solve these one-step equations. The first one has been done for you.

Top Tip: Use the inverse operation!

1) 11 2) y

x 7 16 12

x + 7 = 11 y − 12 = 16

11 − 7 = 4 16 + 12 =

x= 4 y=

3) 21 4) y

x 15 33 28

x + 15 = 21 y − 28 = 33

x= y=

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 Solve One-Step Equations Using Algebra

5) 100 6) y

x 25 159 41

x + 25 = 100 y − 159 = 41

x= y=

7) 18 8) y

x x x 7 7 7 7 7

3x = 18 y÷5=7

18 ÷ 3 = 7×5=

x= y=

9) 28 10) a

n n n n 9 9 9 9 9 9

4n = 28 a÷6=9

n= a=

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 Solve One-Step Equations Using Algebra

11) 108

n n n n n n n n n

9n = 108

n=

12) b

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

b÷8=8

b=

13) Draw your own bar models to represent these one-step equations. Then,
solve them.

a) y − 14 = 22 b) x ÷ 6 = 5

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