The purpose in solving an equation is to find the value or values of the variable that make each side of the equation the same – so that we end up with a true statement. Since a solution to an equatio...The purpose in solving an equation is to find the value or values of the variable that make each side of the equation the same – so that we end up with a true statement. Since a solution to an equation is a value of the variable that makes the equation true, begin by substituting the value of the solution for the variable. On the left side of the workspace is an unknown (envelope) and three counters, while on the right side of the workspace are eight counters.