Class 7 Maths Part 2 Chapter 7, Finding the Unknown, introduces linear equations in one variable—moving from balanced weighing scales and matchstick patterns to systematic equation solving by balancing both sides and transposing terms, word-problem modelling, and India’s classical Bijaganita algebra.
What Class 7 Mathematics Chapter 7 Covers
7.1–7.2 Find the Unknowns & Solving Equations Systematically models equations as balanced two-pan weighing scales (LHS = RHS), solves equations by performing the same operation on both sides or transposing terms across the ‘=’ sign, and verifies solutions by substitution.
7.3–7.4 Word Problems, Mind the Mistake & History of Algebra translates age, money, geometry and number-puzzle problems into linear equations, corrects common sign/bracket errors, and highlights Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya’s contributions to avyakta ganita (the mathematics of unknowns) and tangram puzzles.
Exercises in Chapter 7
- Figure it Out exercise sets and Summary with geometric and algebraic puzzles.
Read Class 7 Mathematics Chapter 7 Online
More Chapters
- Previous: Chapter 6: Constructions and Tilings
- All Mathematics chapters and the other Class 7 books: Class 7 NCERT books 2026-27
FAQ
What is the golden rule for solving a linear equation?
An equation is like a balanced weighing scale: whatever mathematical operation (adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing by a non-zero number) you perform on the Left-Hand Side (LHS), you must perform the exact same operation on the Right-Hand Side (RHS) to preserve equality.
How do you solve the equation 5x – 4 = 16 step by step?
Add 4 to both sides to get $5x = 16 + 4 = 20$. Then divide both sides by 5 to get $x = 20 \div 5 = 4$. Checking in the LHS gives $5(4) – 4 = 16 = \text{RHS}$.