The Universal Calculation Engine
Insights
The Universal Calculation Engine

Isolate the unknown step by step

Part of: Solving Equations

Steps for equations: write what you know, what you want, then simplify or solve.

The steps

Use the same order each time so when an answer is wrong, you know which step to re-check. Solving Equations shows the whole topic in one place.

Why one line at a time

One algebraic move per line. If you combine two moves on one line and get stuck, you cannot see which move was wrong.

Worked pattern

Example: balance an equation—add or subtract on both sides, or multiply or divide both sides by the same nonzero number. Write the new equation on the next line each time.

Two ways to write work

One step per line
Two steps on one line

Confirm

Core lesson

Go deeper: Solving Equations. Use the calculators below with your own loan or bill numbers, not only the examples on this page.

Use the calculator

FAQ

Where is the main lesson?

Solving Equations has the full topic, examples, and practice links.

Which calculator first?

After your setup is on paper, open Linear & quadratic equation for a quick numeric pass.