how do you put the equation in standard form

To put an equation in standard form, you need to rearrange it so that it follows the format Ax + By = C, where A, B, and C are constants and A is non-negative.

Here are the steps to put an equation in standard form:

1. Make sure that the equation has variables only to the first power, meaning there should be no squared or cubed terms.

2. Simplify the equation if necessary by combining like terms on both sides.

3. Move all the variables to one side of the equation and the constants to the other side, so that you have all the variables on one side and the constant term on the other side.

4. Arrange the variables in a specific order, such as writing the x term before the y term.

5. If necessary, divide the entire equation by a common factor to simplify it further. This step is optional but useful for standardizing the equation.

6. Finally, if the leading coefficient (A) is negative, multiply the entire equation by -1 to make it positive. This step ensures that A is non-negative, which is a requirement for standard form.

By following these steps, you can transform any equation into standard form.