Typical Single Variable Equations on the ACT

Single variable equations will fall into two broad categories on the ACT--given equations and word problems. Let’s look at each type.

Given Equations

A given equation will provide you with the equation you need to use to solve the problem. We will go through the exact processes needed to solve this kind of problem in the next section, but for now just understand that your goal is to isolate your variable.

(We will go through how to solve this question later in the guide)

As you can see from this problem, the isolated variable may not be your final answer. Sometimes the question will ask you to solve for x, sometimes the question will ask you to solve for x to a different term (as in this case, where they ask you to find 2x).

Always pay close attention to exactly what the question is asking you to find! You need to first isolate your x to solve the problem, but if you stop there then you will get the final answer wrong.

Word Problems

A word problem describes a scene in which you must set up your own single variable equation to solve it. Again, your final answer may be the value of your variable (x or y, etc.) or your variable taken to a different term (2x, 

, etc.). 

(We will go through how to solve this question later in the guide)