Algebra Worksheet for 14-Year-Old with Dyscalculia | Math Help

Instructions

This worksheet will help you practice the first steps of algebra. The goal is to find the value of the mystery number, which we call x. Read the examples carefully. Remember the most important rule: what you do to one side of the equals sign (=), you must do to the other side to keep it balanced!

Part 1: The Idea of 'x' and the Golden Rule

In algebra, a letter like x is just a placeholder for a number we don't know yet. Think of it like a mystery box.

Your goal is to get the x all by itself on one side of the equals sign (=).

The Golden Rule of Algebra: Imagine a balanced scale. The equals sign is the middle. If you add or remove something from one side, you must do the exact same thing to the other side to keep it balanced.

[ STUFF ON THIS SIDE ]   =   [ STUFF ON THAT SIDE ]

Must stay balanced!

Part 2: Solving with Addition

Look at the problem below. To get x by itself, we need to get rid of the "+ 4". The opposite of adding 4 is subtracting 4.

Example:

   x + 4 = 9

   Subtract 4 from both sides to keep it balanced.

   x + 4 - 4 = 9 - 4

   Now, solve the simple math.

   x = 5

Let's Check: If x = 5, does 5 + 4 = 9? Yes! It works.

Your Turn! Find the value of x for each problem. Show your work like the example.

1.   x + 2 = 8

   x + 2 - 2 = 8 - 2

   x = 

2.   x + 5 = 11

   x + 5 - 5 = 11 - 5

   x = 

3.   x + 8 = 10

   x = 

4.   x + 1 = 15

   x = 

Part 3: Solving with Subtraction

Now, let's look at problems with subtraction. To get x by itself, we need to do the opposite of subtracting. The opposite of subtracting 3 is adding 3.

Example:

   x - 3 = 6

   Add 3 to both sides to keep it balanced.

   x - 3 + 3 = 6 + 3

   Now, solve the simple math.

   x = 9

Let's Check: If x = 9, does 9 - 3 = 6? Yes! It works.

Your Turn! Find the value of x for each problem. Show your work like the example.

5.   x - 5 = 4

   x - 5 + 5 = 4 + 5

   x = 

6.   x - 2 = 10

   x - 2 + 2 = 10 + 2

   x = 

7.   x - 7 = 3

   x = 

8.   x - 6 = 6

   x = 

Answer Key

Check your answers below. Great job on practicing!

Part 2 Answers

1. x + 2 = 8

   x = 6

2. x + 5 = 11

   x = 6

3. x + 8 = 10

   x = 2

4. x + 1 = 15

   x = 14

Part 3 Answers

5. x - 5 = 4

   x = 9

6. x - 2 = 10

   x = 12

7. x - 7 = 3

   x = 10

8. x - 6 = 6

   x = 12