Notice that when we transfered 3x from the RHS to the LHS, it turned negative. Here we are-transferring variables! This time, think about what we did to the equation when Billy decided to eat 3 fruits from both baskets we subtract the variable from both sides! This time, let's say we don't actually know how many pears there are in each pack, considering the fact that the number of pears are equal in all of the packs in both baskets. Now what does this have to do with transferring variables? Transferring variables are basically like what we did above, except they're not numbers yet. We subtract 3 from both sides! This would mean that both baskets, being originally equal, would still be equal when Billy goes home to eat the rest.

I've done the equation for the original number of fruits in each basket, but after Billy took 3 from each basket, I am left to modify my equation. On the way home, Billy decided to eat 3 fruits from each basket. The left basket has 2 packs of 4 apples and 2 pears while the right basket has 3 packs of 2 apples and 2 pears. But how do we do that?īilly has two baskets of equally filled apples. Now, a very significant tip to take note is that since both sides are equal, both must be treated equally. In an equation, the left hand side (LHS-the left expression) and the right hand side (RHS-the right expression) are equal. Transferring variables might look like a complex subject to tackle at first glance, but it actually proves itself to be much simpler-you just need to understand it.

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