Multi-Step Equation Word Problems

Front

What is a multi-step equation?

Back

A multi-step equation is an equation that requires more than one step to solve. It often involves combining like terms, using the distributive property, and isolating the variable.

Front

How do you represent a word problem as an equation?

Back

Identify the quantities involved, assign variables to unknowns, and translate the relationships described in the problem into a mathematical equation.

Front

What is the first step in solving a multi-step equation?

Back

The first step is to simplify both sides of the equation if possible, which may include combining like terms or distributing.

Front

What does it mean to isolate a variable?

Back

Isolating a variable means rearranging the equation so that the variable is on one side of the equation and all other terms are on the opposite side.

Front

How do you check your solution to a multi-step equation?

Back

Substitute the solution back into the original equation to verify that both sides are equal.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parentheses.

Front

How can you set up an equation for a problem involving two different rates?

Back

Let each rate be represented by a variable, then create an equation that equates the total costs or values based on the given rates.

Front

What is a common mistake when solving multi-step equations?

Back

A common mistake is to forget to apply the same operation to both sides of the equation, which can lead to incorrect solutions.

Front

How do you solve for a variable in a multi-step equation?

Back

Use inverse operations to move terms away from the variable, simplifying the equation step by step until the variable is isolated.

Front

What is the importance of units in word problems?

Back

Units help to clarify what is being measured and ensure that calculations are consistent and meaningful.