Alternating algebra

Alternate algebra is a type of math where we play a game with letters, called variables. We use these letters to make equations that we can solve.

In this game, we take turns doing different things to the variables. First, we can add or subtract them. Then, we can multiply or divide them. We keep taking turns doing these things until we have the answer we want.

For example, let's say we have the equation 2x + 5 = 11. We want to figure out what x is.

First, we see that 2x means we have 2 times x. So we need to undo that by dividing both sides by 2.

2x + 5 = 11
2x/2 + 5/2 = 11/2
x + 2.5 = 5.5

Now we see that we have x added to 2.5. We need to undo that by subtracting 2.5 from both sides.

x + 2.5 = 5.5
x + 2.5 - 2.5 = 5.5 - 2.5
x = 3

This means that x is equal to 3. We solved the equation using alternate algebra!