In math, there will be times that students must calculate and figure out the value of a variable. Variables are the letters. Often, the math word problem will state for the student to “find x.” This means that the student must isolate this variable known as x so that the student can determine the value of this variable.

When the student needs to isolate the variable, that means the variable must be on one side. In this expression, you know how much x is worth. It is 3, and they want to know how much y is worth. However, first, you must place 3 for x and multiply three times 48 to get 144. Then you must add y to each side. Then divide by two which is 72.