Explore: Algebra Lab, Solving Equations
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Notice that you will have 4 negative 1-tiles on the right-hand side of the mat.
x=-1
We can use an equation model to solve x+(-3)=-4. Let's solve it step by step!
On the left-hand side of the equation we have x+(-3). Therefore, we place 1 x-tile and 3 negative 1-tiles on one side of the mat. On the right-hand side we have -4, so we place 4 negative 1-tiles on the other side of the mat.
Now we want to isolate the x-term. We can do it by adding 3 positive 1-tiles to each side. This will form 3 zero pairs on the left-hand side and, hence, isolate x. Let's do it!
Now we have 3 zero pairs on the left-hand side and on the right-hand side. If we remove them, we are left with the following mat.
We isolated x! We have found that x=-1. This is the solution of our equation!