Multi-Step Equations

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 solve the equation 2(x + 3) = 8?

Back

1. Distribute: 2x + 6 = 8 2. Subtract 6 from both sides: 2x = 2 3. Divide by 2: x = 1.

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 two or more terms inside a set of parentheses.

Front

How do you solve the equation 4 - 2(x - 3) = 24?

Back

1. Distribute: 4 - 2x + 6 = 24 2. Combine like terms: 10 - 2x = 24 3. Subtract 10: -2x = 14 4. Divide by -2: x = -7.

Front

What does it mean to isolate a variable?

Back

Isolating a variable means to get the variable alone on one side of the equation, making it easier to solve for its value.

Front

How do you solve the equation 3x + 2(4x - 4) = 3?

Back

1. Distribute: 3x + 8x - 8 = 3 2. Combine like terms: 11x - 8 = 3 3. Add 8: 11x = 11 4. Divide by 11: x = 1.

Front

Back

1. Divide by 3.5: 8x - 6 = 6 2. Add 6: 8x = 12 3. Divide by 8: x = 1.5.

Front

What is a variable in an equation?

Back

A variable is a symbol, often a letter, that represents an unknown value in an equation.

Front

How do you solve the equation -19 = -8(-4 + a) - (2a + 1)?

Back

1. Distribute: -19 = 32 - 8a - 2a - 1 2. Combine like terms: -19 = 31 - 10a 3. Subtract 31: -50 = -10a 4. Divide by -10: a = 5.

Front

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

Back

The first step is often to simplify both sides of the equation by combining like terms and using the distributive property.