Two and Three Step Equations Review

A two-step equation is an algebraic equation that requires two operations to solve for the variable. For example, $$2x + 3 = 7$$ requires subtracting 3 and then dividing by 2.

A three-step equation is an algebraic equation that requires three operations to solve for the variable. For example, $$3x - 4 = 5$$ requires adding 4, then dividing by 3.

To isolate a variable, perform inverse operations to both sides of the equation until the variable is alone on one side. For example, in $$x + 5 = 10$$ , subtract 5 from both sides to get $$x = 5$$ .

Solving an equation means finding the value of the variable that makes the equation true. For example, solving $$x + 2 = 5$$ gives $$x = 3$$ .

The first step is to distribute the 2: $$3x + 8x - 8 = 3$$ .

The solution is $$k = 4.75$$ .

Combine like terms by adding or subtracting the coefficients of the same variable. For example, in $$3a + 4a = 7a$$ .

The solution is $$a = -1$$ .

First, subtract 4p from both sides: $$9 + 2p = 1$$ , then subtract 9: $$2p = -8$$ , and finally divide by 2: $$p = -4$$ .

An equation has no solution if there is no value for the variable that makes the equation true. For example, $$x + 1 = x$$ has no solution.