Identify the variable you need to isolate
Use inverse operations to undo additions, subtractions, multiplications, and divisions
Perform the same operation on both sides of the equation
Move terms with the target variable to one side
Move all other terms to the opposite side
Simplify both sides
Factor if the variable appears in multiple terms
Divide by the coefficient of the variable if needed
Check for restrictions such as division by zero
Verify the result by substituting it back into the original equation