This activity sheet has 20 conceptually based questions on solving one-step equations.

Five one-step equations are included: x + a =b, x - a = b, ax = b, x/a = b, and x^2 = a.

The emphasis is on understanding what the meaning of the equation is and then reasoning the solution based on what the equation is describing.

For example: If a student had the equation x + -2 = 8, they would first understand that the equation is saying that some number added to negative two will be positive eight.  Students think about that statement and reason that x must be ten since 10 + -2 = 8.

After solving several equations of each type, students are asked to observe their results to discover that they could have used the opposite operation to help them find the solution.

Solving one-step equations this way should improve their skills at solving one-step equations when they see them later as the result of solving two or more step equations.

A complete set of answers is included.

Activity-Sheet-on-Solving-One-Step-Equations