An equation is a mathematical statement that has an expression on the left side of the equals sign (=) with the same value as the expression on the right side. An example of an equation is 2222 + 2222 = 4444.

One of the terms in an equation may not be known and needs to be determined. The unknown term may be represented by a letter such as x (e.g. 2222 + x = 4444). The equation is solved by finding the value of the unknown x that makes the two sides of the equation have the same value.

Use the subtractive equation property to find the value of x in addition equations. The subtractive equation property states that the two sides of an equation remain equal if the same number is subtracted from each side.

Example:
5000 + x = 12000
5000 + x - 5000 = 12000 - 5000
0 + x = 7000
x = 7000
Check the answer by substituting (7000) for x in the original equation. The answer is correct if the expressions on each side of the equals sign have the same value.
5000 + 7000 = 12000