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Can you solve the equation shown?

Use the "Level" button to change your level.
You can choose from levels 1 to 8.

In each case the number of steps required will be indicated.

Summary/Background

For anyone having problems running the Equation Buster please note that this may be due to one or more factors:
  1. First of all make sure you have installed the extra fonts - see the section below.
  2. A slow network may not be fast enough to run this rather complex applet.
  3. A slow computer may not have the resources available to successfully run the applet.
  4. There is a setting on your account details which may help with items 2 and 3 - click on the Your Account button near the top right and then Manage Main Account or Manage Account. There is a slider control called Question Load Speed - adjusting this may rectify the problem.
  5. The JavaScript engine of a particular web browser may not be fast or powerful enough to run the applet. Try a different web browser.
We have looked into reported problems several times - unfortunately, as you can see from the above, there is no simple answer. Just because the applet isn't working for you doesn't mean to say it's actually broken for all users!

Software/Applets used on this page

Equation Buster is a suite of activities designed by MathsNet. You can solve equations set for you at various difficulty levels.



In every case the emphasis is not only on finding the solution but on finding the best steps to get you there. Usually a single tick indicates the correct answer; a double tick indicates the correct answer found in a minimum number of steps.
For a quick start guide in pdf format, written for GCSE, click here. (PLEASE NOTE - this document currently refers to an older version of the applet and has different controls - a new update to this documentation is currently in progress.)



This version of the applet uses the MathJax system for displaying maths symbols.

Glossary

equation

A statement that two mathematical expressions are equal.

mean

the sum of all the members of the list divided by the number of items in the list.

network

A graph that has a number associated with each edge.

pdf

The probability density function

solution

the answer to a problem.

solve

To find the answer or solution to a problem.

speed

velocity without direction; a scalar quantity

Full Glossary List

This question appears in the following syllabi:

SyllabusModuleSectionTopicExam Year
AP Calculus AB (USA)1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
AP Calculus BC (USA)1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)C1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
AQA AS Maths 2017Pure MathsAlgebraAlgebra and Function Basics-
AQA AS/A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsAlgebraAlgebra and Function Basics-
CCEA A-Level (NI)C1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
CIE A-Level (UK)P1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)C1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
Edexcel AS Maths 2017Pure MathsAlgebraic ExpressionsAlgebra and Function Basics-
Edexcel AS/A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsAlgebraic ExpressionsAlgebra and Function Basics-
I.B. Higher Level2Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
I.B. Standard Level2Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
Methods (UK)M1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
I.B. (MSSL)4Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)C1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
OCR AS Maths 2017Pure MathsIndices and SurdsAlgebra and Function Basics-
OCR MEI AS Maths 2017Pure MathsProblem Solving and ProofAlgebra and Function Basics-
OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)C1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
Pre-U A-Level (UK)1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
Scottish (Highers + Advanced)HM1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
Scottish HighersM1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-
Universal (all site questions)AAlgebra and FunctionsBasics-
WJEC A-Level (Wales)C1Algebra and FunctionsBasics-