Exercises involving equations that require multiple operations to isolate the variable, often including the application of the distributive property (a(b + c) = ab + ac), are typically presented in practice sheets. For example, an exercise might ask a student to solve for x in the equation 3(x + 2) = 15. This requires distributing the 3 to both x and 2, resulting in 3 x + 6 = 15, then subtracting 6 from both sides, and finally dividing by 3 to find the value of x. These worksheets can include varying levels of complexity, incorporating fractions, decimals, and negative numbers.
Mastery of such exercises is fundamental to algebra and higher-level mathematics. These skills are essential for problem-solving in various fields, including physics, engineering, computer science, and finance. Historically, the development of algebraic notation and techniques for solving equations has been crucial to scientific and technological advancement. Working through these problems builds a strong foundation for understanding abstract mathematical concepts and their practical applications.