What is the value of X?

I can hear your brain churning away asking X what?

So I’ll make it a little easier.

Okay, now what is the value of X?

2x + 10 = 30

If you’ve had any experience with elementary algebra then you know the answer is x=10.

Why was determining the value of x in the equation easier than the open ended ‘what is the value of x’ question?

Well, it’s because in the first question you had no knowns, and in the equation you had a combination of knowns and unknowns. So using your power of deduction and hopefully some elementary math you were able to come up with the correct answer.

Life is very similar to an algebraic equation. When you’re attempting solve any problem you can first determine your knowns and unknowns. Obviously working with knowns makes it easier than unknowns because you have a clue as to where to start. However, when all you’re working with is unknowns, then you have to develop a hypothesis of what you think might happen and then essentially keep experimenting until you find answer that works for you.

So the next time you encounter a challenge or problem that you’re trying to solve, first identify all the knowns, existing information.  Once you’ve gathered enough information to give you a good starting point, then you can go to work solving for X.

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