Order of operations in reverse
To isolate x, undo operations in reverse PEMDAS order: addition/subtraction first, then multiplication/division, then exponents. This unwraps the variable cleanly.
Distribute, then collect
Multiply through any parentheses first (distribute). Then move all variable terms to one side and all constants to the other. Then divide.
Negative coefficient flip
When you divide or multiply BOTH sides of an inequality by a NEGATIVE, FLIP the sign. This is the most-missed rule in algebra.
Tip: revisit this strategy after every 10 missed questions on this topic.