Checking solutions for equations with variables on both sides can be tough for Year 11 students.

It can be tricky to figure out how to isolate the variable while dealing with other numbers and terms. Many students struggle to remember the right steps, which can lead to confusion and frustration.

Here are some easy steps to check your solutions:

1. Solve the equation: Start by trying to get the variable alone on one side of the equation. You will need to move numbers around and simplify things. Remember, sometimes students make mistakes with signs or forget to add similar terms together.

2. Substitute the solution: After you find a possible solution, put it back into the original equation to see if it works. For example, if you figured out that $x = 5$, check by inserting it back into the equation:

   $2x + 3 = 5x - 6$

   becomes

   $2(5) + 3 = 5(5) - 6$

   which simplifies to $13 = 19$. That doesn’t make sense, so it’s not a correct solution.

3. Verify both sides: Ideally, both sides of the equation should equal each other. But sometimes there can be rounding errors or mistakes that make this hard to check.

In the end, while checking your solutions might feel overwhelming, paying attention to small details and using clear steps can really help you find the right answers.