A linear equation in one variable is an equation that can be written in the form ax + b = 0, where a and b are constants and x is the variable. The goal is to solve for x, which means finding the value of x that makes the equation true.

To solve a linear equation in one variable, follow these steps:

1. Simplify both sides of the equation by combining like terms and/or using the distributive property.

2. Move all the variable terms to one side of the equation and all the constant terms to the other side. To do this, add or subtract the same term from both sides of the equation.

3. Divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of the variable to isolate the variable.

4. Check your answer by plugging it back into the original equation and verifying that it makes the equation true.

For example, let’s solve the equation 2x + 5 = 11.

1. Simplify both sides by subtracting 5 from both sides: 2x = 6.

2. Move all the variable terms to one side by dividing both sides by 2: x = 3.

3. Check the answer by plugging x = 3 back into the original equation: 2(3) + 5 = 11, which is true.

Therefore, the solution to the equation 2x + 5 = 11 is x = 3.