Solving Multistep Equations

Front

What is a multistep equation?

Back

A multistep equation is an equation that requires more than one step to solve, often involving operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Front

How do you isolate a variable in an equation?

Back

To isolate a variable, you perform inverse operations to both sides of the equation until the variable is alone on one side.

Front

What is the first step in solving the equation 20 = 2 - a?

Back

The first step is to subtract 2 from both sides to get -a = 20 - 2.

Front

Solve for a: 20 = 2 - a

Back

a = -18.

Front

What does it mean to distribute in an equation?

Back

Distributing means to multiply a term outside the parentheses by each term inside the parentheses.

Front

What is the result of distributing 2 in the equation 4 = 2(x + 3)?

Back

The result is 4 = 2x + 6.

Front

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

Back

First, distribute to get 4 = 2x + 6, then subtract 6 from both sides to get -2 = 2x, and finally divide by 2 to find x = -1.

Front

What is the solution to the equation 4x + 10 = -26?

Back

The solution is x = -9.

Front

What is the process to solve for x in the equation 5x - 14 = 8x + 4?

Back

First, move all terms involving x to one side and constant terms to the other side, then simplify to find x = -6.

Front

What is the solution to the equation 6 - 3a = 21?

Back

The solution is a = -5.