# Connexions

You are here: Home » Content » Algebraic Expressions and Equations: Solving Equations of the Form x+a=b and x-a=b

### Lenses

What is a lens?

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

#### Endorsed by (What does "Endorsed by" mean?)

This content has been endorsed by the organizations listed. Click each link for a list of all content endorsed by the organization.
• CCQ

This module is included in aLens by: Community College of QatarAs a part of collection: "Fundamentals of Mathematics"

"Used as supplemental materials for developmental math courses."

Click the "CCQ" link to see all content they endorse.

Click the tag icon to display tags associated with this content.

• College Open Textbooks

This module is included inLens: Community College Open Textbook Collaborative
By: CC Open Textbook CollaborativeAs a part of collection: "Fundamentals of Mathematics"

"Reviewer's Comments: 'I would recommend this text for a basic math course for students moving on to elementary algebra. The information in most chapters is useful, very clear, and easily […]"

Click the "College Open Textbooks" link to see all content they endorse.

Click the tag icon to display tags associated with this content.

#### Affiliated with (What does "Affiliated with" mean?)

This content is either by members of the organizations listed or about topics related to the organizations listed. Click each link to see a list of all content affiliated with the organization.
• Featured Content

This module is included inLens: Connexions Featured Content
By: ConnexionsAs a part of collection: "Fundamentals of Mathematics"

"Fundamentals of Mathematics is a work text that covers the traditional topics studied in a modern prealgebra course, as well as topics of estimation, elementary analytic geometry, and […]"

Click the "Featured Content" link to see all content affiliated with them.

Click the tag icon to display tags associated with this content.

#### Also in these lenses

• UniqU content

This module is included inLens: UniqU's lens
By: UniqU, LLCAs a part of collection: "Fundamentals of Mathematics"

Click the "UniqU content" link to see all content selected in this lens.

### Recently Viewed

This feature requires Javascript to be enabled.

### Tags

(What is a tag?)

These tags come from the endorsement, affiliation, and other lenses that include this content.

# Algebraic Expressions and Equations: Solving Equations of the Form x+a=b and x-a=b

Module by: Wade Ellis, Denny Burzynski. E-mail the authorsEdited By: Math Editors

Summary: This module is from Fundamentals of Mathematics by Denny Burzynski and Wade Ellis, Jr. This module discusses how to solve equations of the form x + a = b x+a=b and x - a = b x-a=b. By the end of the module students should understand the meaning and function of an equation, understand what is meant by the solution to an equation and be able to solve equations of the form x+a=bx+a=b size 12{x+a=b} {} and xa=bxa=b size 12{x - a=b} {}.

## Section Overview

• Equations
• Solutions and Equivalent Equations
• Solving Equations

## Equations

### Equation

An equation is a statement that two algebraic expressions are equal.

The following are examples of equations:

x+6 This expression = = 10 This expression x+6 This expression = = 10 This expression x-4 This expression = = - 11 This expression x-4 This expression = = - 11 This expression 3y-5 This expression = = - 2+2y This expression 3y-5 This expression = = - 2+2y This expression

Notice that x+6x+6 size 12{x+6} {}, x4x4 size 12{x - 4} {}, and 3y53y5 size 12{3y - 5} {} are not equations. They are expressions. They are not equations because there is no statement that each of these expressions is equal to another expression.

## Solutions and Equivalent Equations

### Conditional Equations

The truth of some equations is conditional upon the value chosen for the variable. Such equations are called conditional equations. There are two additional types of equations. They are examined in courses in algebra, so we will not consider them now.

### Solutions and Solving an Equation

The set of values that, when substituted for the variables, make the equation true, are called the solutions of the equation.
An equation has been solved when all its solutions have been found.

### Sample Set A

#### Example 1

Verify that 3 is a solution to x+7=10x+7=10 size 12{x+7 = "10"} {}.

When x=3x=3 size 12{x=3} {},

x+7 = 10 becomes 3+7 = 10 10 = 10 which is a  true  statement, verifying that 3   is a solution to   x+7=10 x+7 = 10 becomes 3+7 = 10 10 = 10 which is a  true  statement, verifying that 3   is a solution to   x+7=10

#### Example 2

Verify that - 6 - 6 is a solution to 5 y+8=225 y+8=22 size 12{5y+8= - "22"} {}

When y=-6y=-6 size 12{y=-6} {},

5y+8 = - 22 becomes 5(- 6)+8 = - 22 - 30+8 = - 22 - 22 = - 22 which is a  true  statement, verifying that - is a solution to 5y+8=- 22 5y+8 = - 22 becomes 5(- 6)+8 = - 22 - 30+8 = - 22 - 22 = - 22 which is a  true  statement, verifying that - is a solution to 5y+8=- 22

#### Example 3

Verify that 5 is not a solution to a1=2 a+3a1=2 a+3 size 12{a - 1=2a+3} {}.

When a=5a=5 size 12{a=5} {},

a-1 = 2a+3 becomes 5-1 = 25+3 5-1 = 10+3 4 = 13 a  false  statement, verifying that   5   is not a solution to  a-1=2a+3 a-1 = 2a+3 becomes 5-1 = 25+3 5-1 = 10+3 4 = 13 a  false  statement, verifying that   5   is not a solution to  a-1=2a+3

#### Example 4

Verify that -2 is a solution to 3m2=4m163m2=4m16 size 12{3m - 2= - 4m - "16"} {}.

When m=-2m=-2 size 12{x=3} {},

3m-2 = - 4m-16 becomes 3(- 2)-2 = - 4(- 2)-16 - 6-2 = 8-16 - 8 = - 8 which is a   true  statement, verifying that - 2   is a solution to  3m-2=- 4m-16 3m-2 = - 4m-16 becomes 3(- 2)-2 = - 4(- 2)-16 - 6-2 = 8-16 - 8 = - 8 which is a   true  statement, verifying that - 2   is a solution to  3m-2=- 4m-16

### Practice Set A

#### Exercise 1

Verify that 5 is a solution to m+6=11m+6=11 size 12{m+6="11"} {}.

##### Solution

Substitute 5 into m+6=11m+6=11 size 12{m+6="11"} {}. Thus, 5 is a solution.

#### Exercise 2

Verify that - 5 - 5 is a solution to 2 m4=142 m4=14 size 12{2m - 4= - "14"} {}.

##### Solution

Substitute -5 into 2m4=142m4=14 size 12{2m - 4= - "14"} {}. Thus, -5 is a solution.

#### Exercise 3

Verify that 0 is a solution to 5 x+1=15 x+1=1 size 12{5x+1=1} {}.

##### Solution

Substitute 0 into 5 x+1=15 x+1=1 size 12{5x+1=1} {}. Thus, 0 is a solution.

#### Exercise 4

Verify that 3 is not a solution to 3 y+1=4 y+53 y+1=4 y+5 size 12{ - 3y+1=4y+5} {}.

##### Solution

Substitute 3 into 3 y+1=4 y+53 y+1=4 y+5 size 12{ - 3y+1=4y+5} {}. Thus, 3 is not a solution.

#### Exercise 5

Verify that -1 is a solution to 6 m5+2m=7 m66 m5+2m=7 m6 size 12{6m - 5+2m=7m - 6} {}.

##### Solution

Substitute -1 into 6m5+2m=7 m66m5+2m=7 m6 size 12{6m - 5+2m=7m - 6} {}. Thus, -1 is a solution.

### Equivalent Equations

Some equations have precisely the same collection of solutions. Such equations are called equivalent equations. For example, x-5=- 1x-5=- 1 size 12{"x - 5 "=" -1"} {}, x+7=11x+7=11 size 12{"x "+" 7 "=" 11"} {}, and x=4x=4 size 12{x=4} {} are all equivalent equations since the only solution to each is x=4x=4 size 12{x=4} {}. (Can you verify this?)

## Solving Equations

We know that the equal sign of an equation indicates that the number represented by the expression on the left side is the same as the number represented by the expression on the right side.

 This number is the same as this number ↓ ↓ ↓ x x size 12{x} {} = 4 x + 7 x + 7 size 12{x+7} {} = 11 x − 5 x − 5 size 12{x - 5} {} = -1

From this, we can suggest the addition/subtraction property of equality.
Given any equation,

1. We can obtain an equivalent equation by adding the same number to both sides of the equation.
2. We can obtain an equivalent equation by subtracting the same number from both sides of the equation.

### The Idea Behind Equation Solving

The idea behind equation solving is to isolate the variable on one side of the equation. Signs of operation (+, -, ⋅,÷) are used to associate two numbers. For example, in the expression 5+35+3 size 12{5+3} {}, the numbers 5 and 3 are associated by addition. An association can be undone by performing the opposite operation. The addition/subtraction property of equality can be used to undo an association that is made by addition or subtraction.

Subtraction is used to undo an addition.

Addition is used to undo a subtraction.

The procedure is illustrated in the problems of (Reference).

### Sample Set B

Use the addition/subtraction property of equality to solve each equation.

#### Example 5

x+4=6x+4=6 size 12{x+4=6} {}.
4 is associated with xx size 12{x} {} by addition. Undo the association by subtracting 4 from both sides.

x + 4 4 = 6 4 x + 0 = 2 x = 2 x + 4 4 = 6 4 x + 0 = 2 x = 2 alignl { stack { size 12{x+4 - 4=6 - 4} {} # size 12{x+0=2} {} # size 12{x=2} {} } } {}

Check: When x=2x=2 size 12{x=2} {}, x+4x+4 size 12{x+4} {} becomes

The solution to x+4=6x+4=6 size 12{x+4=6} {} is x=2x=2 size 12{x=2} {}.

#### Example 6

m8=5m8=5 size 12{m - 8=5} {}. 8 is associated with mm size 12{m} {} by subtraction. Undo the association by adding 8 to both sides.

m 8 + 8 = 5 + 8 m + 0 = 13 m = 13 m 8 + 8 = 5 + 8 m + 0 = 13 m = 13 alignl { stack { size 12{m - 8+8=5+8} {} # size 12{m+0="13"} {} # size 12{m="13"} {} } } {}

Check: When m=13m=13 size 12{m="13"} {},

becomes

a true statement.

The solution to m8=5m8=5 size 12{m - 8=5} {} is m=13m=13 size 12{m="13"} {}.

#### Example 7

35=y2+835=y2+8 size 12{ - 3 - 5=y - 2+8} {}. Before we use the addition/subtraction property, we should simplify as much as possible.

3 5 = y 2 + 8 3 5 = y 2 + 8 size 12{ - 3 - 5=y - 2+8} {}

8=y+68=y+6 size 12{ - 8=y+6} {}
6 is associated with yy size 12{y} {} by addition. Undo the association by subtracting 6 from both sides.

86=y+6614=y+014=y86=y+6614=y+014=yalignl { stack { size 12{ - 8 - 6=y+6 - 6} {} # size 12{ - "14"=y+0} {} # size 12{ - "14"=y} {} } } {}
This is equivalent to y=14y=14 size 12{y= - "14"} {}.

Check: When y=14y=14 size 12{y= - "14"} {},

3 5 = y 2 + 8 3 5 = y 2 + 8 size 12{ - 3 - 5=y - 2+8} {}

becomes
,
a true statement.

The solution to 35=y2+835=y2+8 size 12{ - 3 - 5=y - 2+8} {} is y=14y=14 size 12{y= - "14"} {}.

#### Example 8

5a+1+6a=25a+1+6a=2 size 12{ - 5a+1+6a= - 2} {}. Begin by simplifying the left side of the equation.

- 5a+1+6a - 5+6=1 = - 2 - 5a+1+6a - 5+6=1 = - 2

a+1=2a+1=2 size 12{a+1= - 2} {} 1 is associated with aa size 12{a} {} by addition. Undo the association by subtracting 1 from both sides.

a + 1 1 = 2 1 a + 0 = 3 a = 3 a + 1 1 = 2 1 a + 0 = 3 a = 3 alignl { stack { size 12{a+1 - 1= - 2 - 1} {} # size 12{a+0= - 3} {} # size 12{a= - 3} {} } } {}

Check: When a=3a=3 size 12{a= - 3} {},

5a + 1 + 6a = 2 5a + 1 + 6a = 2 size 12{ - 5a+1+6a= - 2} {}

becomes
,
a true statement.

The solution to 5a+1+6a=25a+1+6a=2 size 12{ - 5a+1+6a= - 2} {} is a=3a=3 size 12{a= - 3} {}.

#### Example 9

7k4=6k+17k4=6k+1 size 12{7k - 4=6k+1} {}. In this equation, the variable appears on both sides. We need to isolate it on one side. Although we can choose either side, it will be more convenient to choose the side with the larger coefficient. Since 8 is greater than 6, we’ll isolate kk size 12{k} {} on the left side.

7k4=6k+17k4=6k+1 size 12{7k - 4=6k+1} {} Since 6k6k size 12{6k} {} represents +6k+6k size 12{+6k} {}, subtract 6k6k size 12{6k} {} from each side.

7k-4-6k 7-6=1 = 6k+1-6k 6-6=0 7k-4-6k 7-6=1 = 6k+1-6k 6-6=0

k4=1k4=1 size 12{k - 4=1} {} 4 is associated with kk size 12{k} {} by subtraction. Undo the association by adding 4 to both sides.

k 4 + 4 = 1 + 4 k = 5 k 4 + 4 = 1 + 4 k = 5 alignl { stack { size 12{k - 4+4=1+4} {} # size 12{k=5} {} } } {}

Check: When k=5k=5 size 12{k=5} {},

7k 4 = 6k + 1 7k 4 = 6k + 1 size 12{7k - 4=6k+1} {}

becomes

a true statement.

The solution to 7k4=6k+17k4=6k+1 size 12{7k - 4=6k+1} {} is k=5k=5 size 12{k=5} {}.

#### Example 10

8+x=58+x=5 size 12{ - 8+x=5} {}. -8 is associated with xx size 12{x} {} by addition. Undo the by subtracting -8 from both sides. Subtracting -8 we get 8=+88=+8 size 12{ - left ( - 8 right )"=+"8} {}. We actually add 8 to both sides.

8 + x + 8 = 5 + 8 8 + x + 8 = 5 + 8 size 12{ - 8+x+8=5+8} {}

x = 13 x = 13 size 12{x="13"} {}

Check: When x=13x=13 size 12{x="13"} {}

8 + x = 5 8 + x = 5 size 12{ - 8+x=5} {}

becomes
,
a true statement.

The solution to 8+x=58+x=5 size 12{ - 8+x=5} {} is x=13x=13 size 12{x="13"} {}.

### Practice Set B

#### Exercise 6

y+9=4y+9=4 size 12{y+9=4} {}

##### Solution

y=5y=5 size 12{y= - 5} {}

#### Exercise 7

a4=11a4=11 size 12{a - 4="11"} {}

##### Solution

a=15a=15 size 12{a="15"} {}

#### Exercise 8

1+7=x+31+7=x+3 size 12{ - 1+7=x+3} {}

##### Solution

x=3x=3 size 12{x=3} {}

#### Exercise 9

8m+47m=238m+47m=23 size 12{8m+4 - 7m= left ( - 2 right ) left ( - 3 right )} {}

##### Solution

m=2m=2 size 12{m=2} {}

#### Exercise 10

12k4=9k6+2k12k4=9k6+2k size 12{"12"k - 4=9k - 6+2k} {}

##### Solution

k=2k=2 size 12{k= - 2} {}

#### Exercise 11

3+a=43+a=4 size 12{ - 3+a= - 4} {}

##### Solution

a=1a=1 size 12{a= - 1} {}

## Exercises

For the following 10 problems, verify that each given value is a solution to the given equation.

### Exercise 12

x11=5x11=5 size 12{x - "11"=5} {}, x=16x=16 size 12{x="16"} {}

#### Solution

Substitute x=4x=4 size 12{x=4} {} into the equation 4x11=54x11=5 size 12{4x - "11"=5} {}.
1611=55=51611=55=5alignl { stack { size 12{"16" - "11"=5} {} # size 12{5=5} {} } } {}
x=4x=4 size 12{x=4} {} is a solution.

### Exercise 13

y4=6y4=6 size 12{y - 4= - 6} {}, y=2y=2 size 12{y= - 2} {}

### Exercise 14

2m1=12m1=1 size 12{2m - 1=1} {}, m=1m=1 size 12{m=1} {}

#### Solution

Substitute m=1m=1 size 12{m=1} {} into the equation 2m1=12m1=1 size 12{2m - 1=1} {}.

m=1m=1 size 12{m=1} {} is a solution.

### Exercise 15

5y+6=145y+6=14 size 12{5y+6= - "14"} {}, y=4y=4 size 12{y= - 4} {}

### Exercise 16

3x+27x=5x63x+27x=5x6 size 12{3x+2 - 7x= - 5x - 6} {}, x=8x=8 size 12{x= - 8} {}

#### Solution

Substitute x=8x=8 size 12{x= - 8} {} into the equation 3x+27=5x63x+27=5x6 size 12{3x+2 - 7= - 5x - 6} {}.

x=8x=8 size 12{x= - 8} {} is a solution.

### Exercise 17

6a+3+3a=4a+73a6a+3+3a=4a+73a size 12{ - 6a+3+3a=4a+7 - 3a} {}, a=1a=1 size 12{a= - 1} {}

### Exercise 18

8+x=88+x=8 size 12{ - 8+x= - 8} {}, x=0x=0 size 12{x=0} {}

#### Solution

Substitute x=0x=0 size 12{x=0} {} into the equation 8+x=88+x=8 size 12{ - 8+x= - 8} {}.

x=0x=0 size 12{x=0} {} is a solution.

### Exercise 19

8b+6=65b8b+6=65b size 12{8b+6=6 - 5b} {}, b=0b=0 size 12{b=0} {}

### Exercise 20

4x5=6x204x5=6x20 size 12{4x - 5=6x - "20"} {}, x=152x=152 size 12{x= { {"15"} over {2} } } {}

#### Solution

Substitute x=152x=152 size 12{x= { {"15"} over {2} } } {}into the equation 4x5=6x204x5=6x20 size 12{4x - 5=6x - "20"} {}.

x=152x=152 size 12{x= { {"15"} over {2} } } {} is a solution.

### Exercise 21

3y+7=2y153y+7=2y15 size 12{ - 3y+7=2y - "15"} {}, y=225y=225 size 12{y= { {"22"} over {5} } } {}

Solve each equation. Be sure to check each result.

### Exercise 22

y6=5y6=5 size 12{y - 6=5} {}

#### Solution

y=11y=11 size 12{y="11"} {}

### Exercise 23

m+8=4m+8=4 size 12{m+8=4} {}

### Exercise 24

k1=4k1=4 size 12{k - 1=4} {}

#### Solution

k=5k=5 size 12{k=5} {}

### Exercise 25

h9=1h9=1 size 12{h - 9=1} {}

### Exercise 26

a+5=4a+5=4 size 12{a+5= - 4} {}

#### Solution

a=9a=9 size 12{a= - 9} {}

### Exercise 27

b7=1b7=1 size 12{b - 7= - 1} {}

### Exercise 28

x+49=6x+49=6 size 12{x+4 - 9=6} {}

#### Solution

x=11x=11 size 12{x="11"} {}

### Exercise 29

y8+10=2y8+10=2 size 12{y - 8+"10"=2} {}

### Exercise 30

z+6=6z+6=6 size 12{z+6=6} {}

#### Solution

z=0z=0 size 12{z=0} {}

### Exercise 31

w4=4w4=4 size 12{w - 4= - 4} {}

### Exercise 32

x+79=6x+79=6 size 12{x+7 - 9=6} {}

#### Solution

x=8x=8 size 12{x=8} {}

### Exercise 33

y2+5=4y2+5=4 size 12{y - 2+5=4} {}

### Exercise 34

m+38=6+2m+38=6+2 size 12{m+3 - 8= - 6+2} {}

#### Solution

m=1m=1 size 12{m=1} {}

### Exercise 35

z+108=8+10z+108=8+10 size 12{z+"10" - 8= - 8+"10"} {}

### Exercise 36

2+9=k82+9=k8 size 12{2+9=k - 8} {}

#### Solution

k=19k=19 size 12{k="19"} {}

### Exercise 37

5+3=h45+3=h4 size 12{ - 5+3=h - 4} {}

### Exercise 38

3m4=2m+63m4=2m+6 size 12{3m - 4=2m+6} {}

#### Solution

m=10m=10 size 12{m="10"} {}

### Exercise 39

5a+6=4a85a+6=4a8 size 12{5a+6=4a - 8} {}

### Exercise 40

8b+6+2b=3b7+6b88b+6+2b=3b7+6b8 size 12{8b+6+2b=3b - 7+6b - 8} {}

#### Solution

b=21b=21 size 12{b= - "21"} {}

### Exercise 41

12h135h=2h+5h+3(4)12h135h=2h+5h+3(4) size 12{"12"h - 1 - 3 - 5h=2h+5h+3 $$- 4$$ } {}

### Exercise 42

4a+52a=3a112a4a+52a=3a112a size 12{ - 4a+5 - 2a= - 3a - "11" - 2a} {}

#### Solution

a=16a=16 size 12{a="16"} {}

### Exercise 43

9n26+5n=3n256n9n26+5n=3n256n size 12{ - 9n - 2 - 6+5n=3n - left (2 right ) left ( - 5 right ) - 6n} {}

### Exercise 44

y2.161=5.063y2.161=5.063 size 12{y - 2 "." "161"=5 "." "063"} {}

#### Solution

y=7.224y=7.224 size 12{y=7 "." "224"} {}

### Exercise 45

a44.0014=21.1625a44.0014=21.1625 size 12{a - "44" "." "0014"= - "21" "." "1625"} {}

### Exercise 46

0.3620.416=5.63m4.63m0.3620.416=5.63m4.63m size 12{ - 0 "." "362" - 0 "." "416"=5 "." "63"m - 4 "." "63"m} {}

#### Solution

m=0.778m=0.778 size 12{m= - 0 "." "778"} {}

### Exercise 47

8.0789.112=2.106y1.106y8.0789.112=2.106y1.106y size 12{8 "." "078" - 9 "." "112"=2 "." "106"y - 1 "." "106"y} {}

### Exercise 48

4.23k+3.18=3.23k5.834.23k+3.18=3.23k5.83 size 12{4 "." "23"k+3 "." "18"=3 "." "23"k - 5 "." "83"} {}

#### Solution

k=9.01k=9.01 size 12{k= - 9 "." "01"} {}

### Exercise 49

6.1185x4.0031=5.1185x0.00586.1185x4.0031=5.1185x0.0058 size 12{6 "." "1185"x - 4 "." "0031"=5 "." "1185"x - 0 "." "0058"} {}

### Exercise 50

21.63y+12.405.09y=6.11y15.66+9.43y21.63y+12.405.09y=6.11y15.66+9.43y size 12{"21" "." "63"y+"12" "." "40" - 5 "." "09"y=6 "." "11"y - "15" "." "66"+9 "." "43"y} {}

#### Solution

y=28.06y=28.06 size 12{y= - "28" "." "06"} {}

### Exercise 51

0.029a0.0130.0340.057=0.038+0.56+1.01a0.029a0.0130.0340.057=0.038+0.56+1.01a size 12{0 "." "029"a - 0 "." "013" - 0 "." "034" - 0 "." "057"= - 0 "." "038"+0 "." "56"+1 "." "01"a} {}

### Exercises for Review

#### Exercise 52

((Reference)) Is 7 calculators12 students7 calculators12 students size 12{ { {7" calculators"} over {"12"" students"} } } {} an example of a ratio or a rate?

rate

#### Exercise 53

((Reference)) Convert 3838 size 12{ {3} over {8} } {}% to a decimal.

#### Exercise 54

((Reference)) 0.4% of what number is 0.014?

3.5

#### Exercise 55

((Reference)) Use the clustering method to estimate the sum: 89+93+206+198+9189+93+206+198+91 size 12{"89"+"93"+"206"+"198"+"91"} {}

#### Exercise 56

((Reference)) Combine like terms: 4x+8y+12y+9x2y4x+8y+12y+9x2y size 12{4x+8y+"12"y+9x - 2y} {}.

##### Solution

13x+18y13x+18y size 12{"13"x+"18"y} {}

## Content actions

### Give feedback:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks