Solving Multistep Equations With Variables On Both Sides

Front

What is a multistep equation?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean to have variables on both sides of an equation?

Back

Having variables on both sides of an equation means that the variable appears in more than one term across the equal sign, requiring manipulation to isolate the variable.

Front

How do you isolate a variable in a multistep equation?

Back

To isolate a variable, you perform inverse operations to move terms involving the variable to one side of the equation and constant terms to the other side.

Front

What is the first step in solving the equation 15 + 6x = 45 + 8x?

Back

The first step is to get all terms involving x on one side and constant terms on the other side, typically by subtracting 6x from both sides.

Front

Solve for x: 15 + 6x = 45 + 8x.

Back

x = -15.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, allowing you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parenthesis.

Front

How do you apply the distributive property in the equation -3x - 32 = -2(5 - 4x)?

Back

You distribute -2 to both 5 and -4x, resulting in -3x - 32 = -10 + 8x.

Front

Solve for x: -3x - 32 = -2(5 - 4x).

Back

x = -2.

Front

What is the solution to the equation 4w + 8 = 6w - 4?

Back

w = 6.

Front

How do you combine like terms in the equation 5x + 8 = 7x?

Back

You can combine like terms by moving all x terms to one side and constant terms to the other side.