The balance rule still rules
Every move keeps both sides equal — the balance idea never changes.
An equation has an equals sign: it says the left side and the right side are worth exactly the same. The best picture is still a balance scale that must stay level.
The golden rule carries straight through Stage 8: whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other. Add, subtract, multiply or divide — as long as both sides get the same treatment, the scale stays balanced.
What is new at Stage 8 is the kind of equation you face: ones with brackets, like , and ones with the unknown on both sides, like . The balance rule does not change — you just have a little tidying to do first. Master that tidying and these equations become as routine as the one-step ones you already know.
- An equation has an equals sign; both sides are equal.
- Picture a balance scale that must stay level.
- Golden rule: do the same thing to both sides.
- Stage 8 adds brackets and unknowns on both sides.