 This video we're going to look at how we can solve equations using a method called inspection. Before we start let's recap what an equation is and why we solved them. An equation is a mathematical sentence with two sides that are equal to each other. We solve equations to find the number or numbers that make the sentence true. So let's have a look at what it means to solve equations by inspection. If you were given this, all it is saying is something plus three equals five. What's the missing number? Two. So that means x equals two. That's all there is for solving equations by inspection. It just means to look at the question and try and work out what the missing number is. How can we make the left-hand side equal the right-hand side? So what about this question? What's the missing number? This is a little bit of a trick question. 15 plus what gives five? We actually need to subtract ten. So y equals negative ten. So now this one is actually the same as saying four times a. So what's the missing number? Did you think three? Give these questions a go. Pause the video, work them out and click play when you're ready. How did you get on? We can still use this same approach for slightly trickier questions. Something minus one equals five. So that something must equal six. So our unknown two x equals six. We can then solve this second bit also just by working it out. Something times two equals six. It must be three. x equals three. Can you do this one by yourself? Pause the video, take it step by step and click play when you're ready. Did you get x is four? Let's end on a slightly different one. Give this one a go yourself. Pause the video, work it out and click play when you're ready. Did you get x is two? So there we have solving simple algebraic equations by inspection. Put a box around the unknown and work out what number is missing.