1. If the equation has any fractions employ the least common denominator to apparent the fractions. We will do this through multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD.

Also, if there are variables in denominators of the fractions recognize values of the variable that will give division by zero as we will have to ignore these values in our solution.

2. Simplify both of sides of the equation. It means clearing out any parenthesis, and joining like terms.

3. Use the primary two facts above to get all of terms with the variable within them on one side of the equations (combining in single term of course) and all of the constants on the other side.

4. If the coefficient of the variable is not a one use the third or fourth fact above (it will based on just what the number is) to make the coefficient a one.

Note that usually we just divide both sides of the equation through the coefficient if this is an integer or multiply both of the sides of the equation trhough the reciprocal of the coefficient if this is a fraction.

5. VERIFY YOUR ANSWER!  This is the final step and the most frequently skipped step, still it is possibly the most vital step in the process. With this you can know whether or not you can the verify answer is accurate or not.  We verify the answer through plugging the results from the previous steps into the original equation. It is very significant to plug into the original equation as you may have made a mistake in the first step that led you to an incorrect answer.

Also, if there were fractions in the problem & there were values of the variable which give division through zero (recall the first step...) this is significant to ensure that one of these values didn't end up within the solution set.  This is possible, as we'll see in an instance, to contain these values show up in the solution set.